There is an alarming increase in mental health disorders in South Sudan, driven by stress, trauma, poverty, and substance abuse, while treatment services remain severely limited, a new study says.
The study, published in the Journal of Mathematics and Data Science, analyzed more than 72,000 mental health cases reported between 2020 and 2022 through the Ministry of Health’s national data system.
“Mental health cases in South Sudan are rising by about 32 percent every year,” researchers note. They warn of a worsening public health crisis if urgent interventions are not introduced.
Alcohol and drug abuse emerged as the country’s biggest mental health burden, accounting for nearly half of all reported cases. Most significantly, these leading factors were also linked to the highest number of mental health-related deaths recorded in the data.
Meanwhile, acute stress is another major concern, with cases rising steadily over the three-year period. Researchers linked this increase to unemployment, financial hardship, conflict, family pressures, and the struggle to meet daily needs.
Additionally, women were found to be more affected than men across several categories, including stress, grief, and depression. “Women recorded higher levels of mental health disorders than men,” the study says, suggesting they face heavier social and economic burdens.
The study also raised alarm over the number of cases reported among children under five, calling for further investigation into family trauma and early childhood mental well-being.
Post-traumatic stress disorder remains common in the youngest East African country, which has been scarred by years of civil war, displacement, and violence, researchers state. Some of the highest mental health burdens were recorded in Eastern Equatoria, Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Western Equatoria states.
Despite growing needs, South Sudan has very limited mental health services, with few facilities and a shortage of trained specialists. Many people suffering from mental illness receive no treatment.
Researchers say the government and international partners should increase funding, expand treatment centers, improve data collection, and address root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.
Photo Source: Amnesty International