By Makutu Manneh
The Ministry of Health on Monday unveiled The Gambia Mental Health Investment Case Report 2025, a landmark document outlining the economic and social benefits of scaling up investment in mental health. The report serves as a strategic framework to guide policy decisions and strengthen the country’s mental health systems.
Speaking at the launch, Vice President Muhammed BS. Jallow observed that for too long, mental health has been obscured by silence and stigma, prevailing over genuine understanding. He stressed that mental health issues touch every family and that the time has come to dismantle this silence. The Vice President emphasized that mental illness carries no inherent shame, arguing that the mind, much like any other part of the body, requires healing.
He urged for a paradigm shift in The Gambia’s approach to mental health, stressing that it should be treated with the same urgency and investment as other pressing health concerns. Open dialogue, empathy, and community support, he added, are crucial to building a society where individuals can seek help without fear or prejudice. The Vice President warned that The Gambia cannot realize its vision if its populace remains burdened by distress, trauma, or hopelessness.
He underscored that mental health transcends mere medical concern, defining it instead as a national development priority, a human rights issue, and a moral duty. By fully acknowledging this, he argued, the country can successfully work toward creating a more supportive and inclusive society.
Vice President Jallow reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating mental health into all aspects of public life—extending care beyond hospitals and clinics to schools, workplaces, and communities. He also noted ongoing reforms to update mental health laws and protect the rights of people living with mental health conditions.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that mental health is not left behind in our journey towards universal health coverage. We are working to ensure that care and compassion reach every region, not only in our hospitals and clinics but also in schools, workplaces, and communities.”
Minister of Health Dr. Lamin Samateh hailed this achievement as a turning point in The Gambia’s journey toward a healthier, more inclusive, and compassionate society. He emphasized that mental well-being is now rightly recognized as a critical and integrated component of overall health in the country. The minister added that The Gambia’s mental health investment case provides a clear roadmap for strengthening care programs and clinical services, focusing on accessible, cost-effective, and culturally appropriate measures.
“This report provides us with the evidence we need to act decisively and boldly. It shows that investing in mental health is not only a moral imperative but also economically sound and socially transformative, which is essential in achieving universal health coverage that we all yearn for,” the minister noted.
Amadou Camara, chairperson of the National Assembly Health Select Committee, reaffirmed the Assembly’s support for the Ministry’s initiatives, particularly in advancing mental health legislation. He expressed optimism about the forthcoming Mental Health Bill, which he said will reinforce the country’s commitment to protecting and promoting mental well-being.
Also speaking at the event, Karl Fredrick Paul, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, described the launch as timely, coinciding with the global commemoration of World Mental Health Day. He emphasized that mental health is central to human dignity and a fundamental right recognized under international law.
Paul cautioned that rising substance abuse poses a growing threat to mental health in The Gambia and globally. He further noted that promoting mental well-being has far-reaching benefits for individuals and societies alike.
“Good mental health enables children to learn and reach their full potential in education, it empowers women and girls to participate in full society. It enables people to be engaged in decent work and contribute to economic growth, and is essential to reducing inequalities and building peaceful and inclusive societies.”
Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being—shaping how individuals think, feel, and act. It determines how people cope with stress, realize their potential, work productively, and contribute to their communities.