Open Access

REVIEW

Mental health literacy in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

Daniel Lesiba Letsoalo^1,*, Mahlatsi Venolia Semenya², Anastasia Julia Ngobe¹, Joy Katlego Hlokwe¹

1 Department of Psychology, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
2 Little Manhattan Lower East Village, Pretoria West, 0001, South Africa

* Corresponding Author: Daniel Lesiba Letsoalo. Email:

Journal of Psychology in Africa 2025, 35(1), 159-165. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2025.065764

Received 20 March 2024; Accepted 03 August 2024; Issue published 30 April 2025

Abstract

There has been an increase in mental health problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Considering this, it is critical to track the region’s level of mental health literacy (MHL) to identify key mental health priorities and to direct the most effective interventions. The purpose of this study was to review the existing literature on MHL in sub-Saharan Africa. EBSCOhost (inclusive of Academic Search Ultimate, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, APA Psych Articles, and Global Health), CINAHL with full text, Wiley Online Library, Taylor and Francis Online Journals and Google Scholar databases were searched to retrieve relevant articles. The study only considered original full-text, peer-reviewed, English-written research on MHL carried out in sub-Saharan Africa and published between 2015 and 2023. Scoping review steps by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) were followed. Grey literature, review studies, and review protocols were excluded. The data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). The results showed that MHL varies within the region, making it difficult to determine the exact state. Furthermore, the study uncovered factors that contribute to both poor and better MHL in the region. Poor MHL was linked to residing in the township and being male. Better MHL was associated with higher education levels, being female, urban residence, and having a history of mental illness, among other factors. The study findings provide evidence-based recommendations for regional, policy, or legislative-led interventions and prioritisations of mental health education programs and public mental health campaigns to increase awareness of mental health.

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Keywords

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