The policy was unveiled in Mogadishu during an event marking World Mental Health Day and brought together Health Minister Ali Haji Aden, senior ministry officials, hospital and university representatives and international partners.

The policy places particular emphasis on improving access to quality mental health care, raising public awareness and combating discrimination against people living with mental health conditions.

Health officials also called for stronger cooperation among government institutions, hospitals, universities, development partners and local communities to build more inclusive services and protect the rights and dignity of patients.

The launch marks a significant policy step for a health system where mental health services have historically been limited.

A World Health Organization (WHO) assessment of Somalia previously found that the country lacked a national mental health policy and national mental health plan, while more recent WHO assessments have highlighted shortages of trained professionals and limited community-based services.

WHO has recommended that Somalia integrate mental health services into primary health care and train nonspecialist health workers to provide basic mental health support, in part because the country has too few psychiatrists and other specialists to meet demand.

Somalia’s mental health needs are also shaped by decades of armed conflict, displacement, poverty, recurrent drought and other humanitarian emergencies.

WHO has warned globally that conflict, displacement, economic instability and climate-related shocks can increase psychological distress and worsen existing mental health conditions, particularly where health systems are already under strain.

The new Somali policy broadly reflects recent WHO guidance urging governments to strengthen mental health governance, financing, workforce capacity and service delivery while moving toward rights-based and community-centered care.

Mental health advocates in Somalia have long raised concerns about discrimination, social isolation and harmful treatment of people with severe mental health conditions, particularly where families have little access to professional care.

World Mental Health Day is observed annually on Oct. 10 to raise awareness of mental health issues and promote better access to treatment and support.