By Nelson Manneh
As the world marks World Mental Health Day, the call for collective action has never been louder. This year’s theme, “Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies” underscores the growing psychological strain on people affected by conflict, crises, and displacement. It also speaks directly to The Gambia’s ongoing mental health challenges, where stigma, limited resources, and lack of access continue to leave thousands without care.
Mental health in The Gambia remains a serious public health concern. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and psychosis are widespread, yet treatment remains out of reach for many. The country has only one psychiatric hospital (Tanka Tanka )and a single outpatient clinic serving the entire population.
Access to care is especially difficult for those in rural areas, where long distances, high medication costs, and few trained professionals create major barriers. Social stigma further deepens the crisis, with many Gambians still viewing mental illness as a spiritual or moral weakness rather than a medical condition.
Dr. Jainaba Jallow, a medical officer at Tanka Tanka, said the rise in mental health cases reflects worsening social and economic pressures rather than progress. “What we are seeing is not positive growth, but a recognition of long-standing crises that have been ignored,” she said. “Stigma remains one of our biggest obstacles. Many families hide their relatives out of shame or fear of being judged.”
She explained that urban migration and changing family structures have also eroded traditional support systems, leaving more people, especially the youth, vulnerable to mental health challenges.
For Aji Jacob Njie, a mental health survivor, student, and mother, discrimination remains the most painful barrier. “People assume we are dangerous or unstable. The fear of being judged stops many from seeking help,” she said. “Stigma doesn’t just cause emotional pain , it denies people jobs, housing, and education.”
Njie urged the public to treat people with mental health conditions with respect and compassion, noting that social acceptance can be as powerful as medical treatment in promoting recovery.
Hon. Modou Lamin B. Bah, National Assembly Member for Banjul North and Vice Chair of the Select Committee on Health, called for stronger public education and institutional reforms to fight stigma.
“To address mental health stigma, we must combine personal action, education, and systemic change,” Bah said. “Use respectful, person-first language — say ‘a person with bipolar disorder’ instead of ‘a bipolar person.’ Small changes in how we speak can make a big difference in how society responds.”
He urged media professionals, educators, and community leaders to challenge stereotypes and promote accurate information about mental illness. “When you hear harmful myths, speak up respectfully. Words can heal or harm,” he emphasised.
As the world reflects on this year’s World Mental Health Day, experts and advocates alike agree: addressing mental health in The Gambia requires more than awareness. It demands sustained investment, stronger policies, and a culture that embraces empathy over judgment.
