No specific figure of persons living with mental disorder in Cameroon have been released but health experts say cases of mental illness is on the rise. Doctors have attributed the increase to high rate of depression which is often linked with raised levels of HIV/AIDS; increase consumption of narcotics or drug abuse, poor management of stress; lack of information concerning common diagnoses of mental illness in Cameroon.

As Cameroon on the 10^th of October 2016 celebrated the 24th edition of the World Mental Day, hopes are rife that a great percentage of persons living with mental disorder will be treated while a more advanced way of preventing the disease will be fine-tuned especially as this year’s celebration focuses on “Psychological and mental health first aid for all.”

Ahead of the annual event activities such as round table discussions and lectures in hospitals and schools have been carried out to sensitize the population on the importance of mental health care education; the role and support people can provide to those in distress as outlined in the theme.

CRTV