Mental health in Somalia
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Somalia has been described as having one of the world's highest rates of mental illness, with one in three Somalis meeting the diagnostic threshold for some form of mental illness.[1] This has been attributed to the ongoing Somali Civil War, political instability, and natural disasters.[1] Despite the high prevalence of mental illness among the Somali population, mental health services are almost non-existent in Somalia.[2]
Colonial period
During the colonial period, several psychiatric facilities were built.[1]
Contemporary
In recent history, mental health services have consistently been neglected by government-run healthcare facilities. The Somali government spends less than 1% of its health budget on mental health services.[1] There are currently 0.5 psychiatric beds for every 100,000 people in Somalia's hospitals.[1]