Somalia Launches First National Mental Health Policy for 2026–2030

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has launched its first national mental health policy, setting out a five-year framework to expand access to care, improve coordination of services and address the stigma that prevents many people from seeking help.

Health and Social Welfare Minister Dr. Ali Haji Aden unveiled the policy for 2026–2030 on Saturday in Mogadishu during an event marking World Mental Health Day, bringing mental health care into sharper focus as the country works to strengthen its health system.

The policy is intended to guide the planning, coordination and development of mental health services nationwide. Its launch comes amid calls for greater public awareness, better access to quality treatment and stronger protection of the rights of people living with mental health conditions.

At the launch, officials and representatives from hospitals, universities and international organisations highlighted the need to challenge discrimination and ensure that people experiencing mental health conditions receive appropriate care and support. They also stressed that treatment should be grounded in compassion and respect for patients’ dignity.

Somalia’s approach will require cooperation across several sectors, including government institutions, health facilities, universities, development partners and local communities. Such coordination is important to making services more accessible and ensuring that people can seek care without fear of stigma or exclusion.

The policy provides a national framework for the next five years, although the ministry’s announcement did not specify its budget, implementation timetable or the targets against which progress will be measured.

Those details will be important in determining how the policy translates into practical improvements for patients, including whether services become more widely available and health workers receive the support needed to deliver appropriate care.

The launch coincided with World Mental Health Day, observed annually on Oct. 10, which seeks to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilise support for people affected by them.