🌍 Support Mental Health in Africa

According to the World Health Organization, Africa faces one of the world’s greatest mental health workforce shortages. In 2014, there were just 1.4 mental health workers per 100,000 people, compared with a global average of 9.0 (Sankoh et al., 2018, Lancet Global Health). This means millions of people living with conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or developmental disorders cannot access professional care.

The situation is worsened by:

Conflict and displacement, leading to high rates of trauma and PTSD
Stigma, which prevents open conversations and treatment-seeking
Poverty and low investment, with most African countries spending less than 1% of their health budget on mental health (WHO, 2022).

Fact: Up to 85% of people with mental health conditions in low- and middle-income countries receive no treatment at all (WHO Mental Health Atlas 2020).

Despite these challenges, there is hope. Evidence shows that even community-based interventions — such as basic counselling, group therapy, and education — can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and trauma, improving not only individual wellbeing but also family stability, education outcomes, and economic productivity (Patel et al., 2018, Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health).

Empowering Communities

Congo

Trusted organisation you can support

At Psychology Cap, we believe the best way to make an immediate impact is to connect you directly to trusted, transparent organisations already working in Africa.

Donations go straight to them — we do not handle funds ourselves.

Kenya – Mental360

Youth-focused organisation offering counselling, peer support, and school outreach to combat stigma and suicide.

Nigeria – Mentally Aware

Nigeria Initiative (MANI)

Nigeria’s largest youth-run mental health network, providing psychosocial support and 24/7 crisis response.

South Africa – Cape Mental Health

Supporting children and adults with intellectual disabilities and providing community-based mental health care.Nigeria – Safemind Foundation Promotes education, awareness, and destigmatisation of mental health issues in Nigerian communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo – Mutima Psychosocial Center

Based in South Kivu, Mutima provides trauma therapy, trains professionals, and expands access to care for communities affected by conflict and displacement.

Our future goal

In the future, Psychology Cap aims to launch a scholarship fund for African students studying psychology, mental health, or medicine in the UK. These students will be encouraged to return their knowledge and skills to their communities, helping reduce the treatment gap in Africa.