The Burkinabé government has marked World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2026, with a theme that calls for accessible, inclusive, and resilient mental health care. The theme, "Écoutons les voix, renforçons les liens: pour une santé mentale accessible, inclusive et résiliente au Burkina Faso," aims to promote mental health care for all citizens. This initiative is crucial, given the significant impact of mental health issues on the population, particularly women and girls.
According to a 2015 national survey conducted by Ouédraogo et al. and published in the journal L'Encéphale, 46.24% of women surveyed reported experiencing at least one mental health disorder, compared to 35.01% of men. A 2021 national survey conducted across 13 regions of the country among 5,258 people estimated the prevalence of mental health disorders at 33.49% in the general population and 41.10% among internally displaced persons.
The disparities in mental health between women and men in Burkina Faso are attributed to gender inequalities, including violence, child marriage, forced marriage, unpaid care work, economic dependence, and limited decision-making power within households. For internally displaced women, the loss of homes, property, and social networks further exacerbates their vulnerability. These factors underscore the need for a nuanced approach to addressing mental health, one that recognizes the interplay between gender dynamics and access to care.
The association Sœurs Pour Sœurs/Tond Laa Taaba (SPS/TLT) has been working to address the mental health needs of women and girls in Burkina Faso. Through research and advocacy, SPS/TLT has highlighted the barriers that prevent women, particularly those in rural areas, internally displaced persons, women with disabilities, and those with limited resources, from accessing mental health care. Their studies have shown that for many women, the right to health remains theoretical.
To bridge this gap, SPS/TLT operates a free listening center for women and girls, providing a safe space for them to discuss their challenges, sufferings, or experiences of violence. By making mental health support more accessible, SPS/TLT aims to empower women to seek help without having to bear their burdens alone. The center can be contacted at 62610508 for those in need.
While the efforts of organizations like SPS/TLT are commendable, there is a call for a broader commitment from health authorities, technical and financial partners, and humanitarian actors. This includes the regular production and publication of mental health data disaggregated by sex, age, and situation; making mental health services more community-based; ensuring the availability and affordability of essential psychotropic medications; and integrating mental health and psychosocial support into responses to gender-based violence.
As the theme of World Mental Health Day 2026 suggests, listening to the voices of those affected and strengthening links between communities and mental health services is crucial. For women and girls in Burkina Faso, who are disproportionately affected by mental health issues, it is a matter of justice and rights. By prioritizing their needs and involving them in the design and monitoring of policies that affect them, Burkina Faso can move towards more inclusive and equitable mental health care.
Key points
- The Burkinabé government has marked World Mental Health Day with a theme emphasizing accessible and inclusive mental health care.
- Women in Burkina Faso face significant barriers to accessing mental health care, exacerbated by gender inequalities.
- The association Sœurs Pour Sœurs/Tond Laa Taaba (SPS/TLT) is working to address the mental health needs of women and girls through research, advocacy, and a free listening center.
