Page 125 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability

PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE
Challenges encountered by emerging mental

health researchers in sub-Saharan Africa

Usoro Udousoro Akpan * , Ibrahim Khalil Ja’afar 1 , Favour Hilary Obong 2 ,
1
and Joy Chidinma Larry 3
1 Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
2 Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
3 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Arthur Jarvis University,
Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract
Mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa faces numerous barriers, even as the
region experiences an increasing burden of mental health conditions, driven in part by
the HIV epidemic, adolescent pregnancy, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental illness
remains a leading cause of disability, yet access to evidence-based interventions is
limited, contributing to a persistent treatment gap. Integrating mental health services
into general healthcare settings and expanding telepsychiatry are promising but
underutilized strategies. Strengthening research efforts is essential to understanding
Academic editor:
Mihajlo Jakovljevic M.D. Ph.D. MAE and addressing the region’s unique challenges. Key barriers include limited funding,
poor economic conditions, inadequate research infrastructure, a shortage of skilled
*Corresponding author:
Usoro Udousoro Akpan researchers, and insufficient mentorship. Socio-cultural factors, such as mental health
(usoro.akpan@warwick.ac.uk) stigma and conflicting traditional beliefs, further constrain research capacity. Addressing
Citation: Akpan, U.U., Ja’afar, I.K., these issues requires enhancing funding, establishing sustainable financing models,
Obong, F.H. & Larry, J.C. (2025). investing in infrastructure, implementing capacity-building initiatives, and fostering
Challenges encountered by international collaboration and advocacy. Equitable North–South partnerships and
emerging mental health researchers
in sub-Saharan Africa. Global structured mentorship programs are vital for skills transfer and the development of
Health Econ Sustain, 3(3):117-123. context-specific approaches. Advocacy for supportive policy environments can help
https://doi.org/10.36922/ mobilize resources for both research and clinical services. Bridging biomedical science
GHES025130028
with socio-cultural understanding can yield culturally appropriate, community-based
Received: March 27, 2025 interventions. This article highlights the urgency of overcoming financial, structural,
Revised: June 15, 2025 and socio-cultural barriers to strengthen mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa.
Implementing these strategies can support the development of a robust evidence
Accepted: June 19, 2025
base, improve service delivery, and promote equitable and sustainable mental health
Published online: July 4, 2025 systems – ultimately enhancing the quality of life and socioeconomic participation for
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). millions affected by mental illness in the region.
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution Keywords: Mental health research; Early-career researchers; Sub-Saharan Africa; Research
License, permitting distribution, capacity building
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with 1. Introduction
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa is gaining increasing attention due
affiliations. to the region’s unique challenges and opportunities. The burden of mental health

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 117 https://doi.org/10.36922/GHES025130028