The Angolan Ministry of Health, through the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programme, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), Camões - Portuguese Cooperation Centre and the Private University of Angola (UPRA), held a ‘Tea of Ideas’ in Luanda on the mental health situation in Angola.

The event was an opportunity for journalists, digital influencers and specialists from the different institutions mentioned above to exchange experiences and learn, with the aim of discussing the problem of mental health in Angola and officially presenting the Mental Health Art Competition. The competition, under the theme ‘Mental Health: A Right for All’ is open for entries until 6 September and includes the categories of Poetry, Photography, Written Journalism and Painting, with the aim of promoting reflection and awareness of mental health through artistic expression.

©WHO/João Carlos Domingos

In Angola, mental health is integrated into the National Directorate of Public Health. According to Dr Massoxi Vigário, coordinator of the Ministry of Health's Mental Health Programme, an integrated network of mental health services was created in 6 provinces between 2013-2018 to provide care from primary to tertiary level, and from 2013 to 2024 the number of units with mental health services increased from 184 to 202, covering the whole country. 

For her part, Dr Fernanda Alves, WHO Specialist in Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases in Angola, said that promoting mental health is a collective responsibility of governments, communities, and individuals, which leads to building more equitable and inclusive societies. She emphasized that it is ‘‘essential to provide mental health and social assistance services that are complete, integrated and adapted to the needs of the community context’’.

©WHO/João Carlos Domingos

The event on mental health highlighted the need to tackle stigma and inequality in access to mental health care, as well as the importance of all of us together, under the slogan, there is no health without mental health, committing ourselves to ensuring that mental health is a fundamental right of every human being.

‘’We must join hands and together guarantee a holistic approach to treating mental health, as it integrates body and mind, promoting complete and lasting well-being,‘’ said Adília Cordeiro, nutritionist and digital influencer, during the event.

Find out more: https://www.afro.who.int/sites/default/files/2024-07/Regulamento%20do%20Concurso%20de%20Saude%20Mental.pdf