Various challenges impede adequate access to mental health care in Cameroon. Some of these include inadequate funds, stigma, and the ever-ongoing conflict in the country that has lasted for quite a while. Nevertheless, several organisations are working to advance psychological care and assistance.
- IHAF is an NGO dedicated to providing comprehensive health care services.
- CMHC is on a mission to improve the mental health care system in Cameroon through research and various services.
Cameroon’s Top Mental Health Charities
Here are some of the most outstanding mental health charities to support in Cameroon:
1. Integrated Health for All Foundation (IHAF)
IHAF is a Cameroonian nongovernmental organisation committed to delivering in-depth health care services such as psychiatric care. Essentially, the nonprofit is concerned with awareness creation, heads-up, and advocacy for counselling and psychological services. IHAF’s community-focused orientation guarantees that psychological services are delivered to relevant communities.
2. RECAP+
RECAP+ (Rehabilitation and Care Programme) prioritise the special subject of psychology, delivering key aid to individuals affected by strife and inhabitants forced to flee in Cameroon. They engage in counselling, and treatment of traumatised individuals and also offer psychological information to the public, mostly focusing on women, children, and internally displaced persons. Thus, the goal is to advance the capability of providing vital psychiatric care in crisis zones.
3. Centre for Mental Health Cameroon (CMHC)
The fundamental vision of CMHC is to enhance the psychological care system in Cameroon. The organisation achieves this by conducting research, prioritising advocacy, and providing services for the creation of a perceptive health system in the country. By and large, the various services include psychological counselling, mental treatment, and community outreaches to educate people on psychological well-being. Undoubtedly, the efforts made by CMHC have assisted with fighting the stigma and raising awareness in ensuring mental healthcare availability.
4. Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS)
Although they are a teaching hospital, CBCHS offers both primary and secondary healthcare services which include mental health through its hospitalised chains and healthcare stations. This ensures that individuals get counselling, psychiatric services, and help on how to manage a mental disorder. CBCHS’s delivery model provides an interrelated system so that psychological well-being care is integrated as a component of health care delivery services.
5. GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) Cameroon
GIZ offers mental health and psychosocial support services in Cameroon within its international cooperation services. Also, the organisation teaches national staff about psychological well-being issues while establishing and supporting community psychological well-being services.
GIZ advocate for psychological well-being at the national and community level. In this regard, the organisation fosters the development of local competencies and establishes mental health care facilities.
Conclusion
Your support can go a long way to aid these organisations in improving mental health services in Cameroon. This also assists in sustaining services, capacity-building of local health workers, and guaranteeing delivery of psychological well-being services to populations in need, thereby promoting a healthier, resilient community.
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