A quick Google search on images about mental health in Africa shows people locked up in chains and kept in inhumane conditions.
The topic is taboo and many are quick to dismiss it. Unfortunately, this attitude is prevalent even among African governments which should ensure citizens access the highest attainable standard of healthcare, including mental health.
In recent years, ‘Africa Rising’ has been a catchphrase in many conversations about the continent. It is used to describe the perceived development in the continent and the opportunities for more growth.
Countries such as Kenya have taken the phrase to heart, hosting a variety of international meets such as the UNCTAD 14 and the TICAD IV this year as follow-ups to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit co-hosted by Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Barack Obama last year.