WHO Urges Greater Role for People With Lived Mental Health Experience
By Ali Mohammed Zanna, Maiduguri
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, has called for people with lived experience of mental health conditions to play a greater role in shaping policies and services that affect their lives.
Janabi made the call in his message to mark World Mental Health Day 2026, observed under the theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.”
He said mental health affects how people learn, work, interact with others and contribute to their communities, noting that nearly 150 million people across Africa live with mental health, neurological or substance use conditions.
According to him, conditions such as depression, anxiety and alcohol and other substance use disorders continue to affect individuals, families and communities, while stigma and discrimination remain major barriers to accessing care.
Janabi said people with lived experience should not only be invited to share their stories but should also participate in decisions concerning mental health policies and services.
“Listening must lead to participation,” he said, stressing that people with lived experience should help develop policies, design services and strengthen peer-led initiatives.
He said WHO had already begun creating opportunities for such participation through its Regional Mental Health Webinar Series and Mental Health Intercountry Learning Meetings held in South Africa and Togo.
The WHO Regional Director said these initiatives were developed in collaboration with organisations representing people with psychosocial disabilities and other mental health partners.
Janabi also highlighted gaps in mental healthcare across the African Region, saying only seven of the 47 countries were implementing comprehensive integration of mental health into primary healthcare.
He said average government spending on mental health in the region was only $0.07 per person, compared with $2.69 globally.
According to him, mental healthcare is also often fragmented or concentrated in major urban centres, leaving many communities without adequate support close to home.
He called for stronger national leadership, sustained financing and formal mechanisms that would ensure the participation of people with lived experience in mental health decision-making.
Janabi further urged health professionals, civil society organisations and development partners to support the leadership of people with lived experience and help bring compassionate, rights-based mental healthcare closer to communities.
He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to working with governments and communities to expand accessible mental health services across the African Region.
“Real voices can drive real change. Together, we can build mental health systems with those who use them,” he said.
