Integration Of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Youth Policies in East and Southern Africa
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical developmental phase, marking both the onset of many mental health disorders and significant transitions such as sexual initiation. Globally, one in seven adolescents aged 10-19 suffers from mental disorders, which are primary causes of disability in this group. The relationship between mental health and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is bi-directional: early pregnancies can negatively impact mental well-being, while poor mental health can influence SRH outcomes. This technical paper analyzes existing SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) and MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) policies in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region. It evaluates the extent to which these policies facilitate service integration to enhance health outcomes and broaden access for youth, providing strategic direction for future advocacy and policy guidance.
Subject
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS); Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR); Adolescent Health; Youth Well-being; Policy Analysis; Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA); Health Service Integration; Public Health Advocacy; Behavioral Disorders; Human DevelopmentURI
https://aphrc.org/publication/integration-of-mental-health-and-psychosocial-support-and-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-in-youth/http://knowhub.aphrc.org/handle/123456789/2853
Collections
- 2025 [4]
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Urban Health in Africa. In: Elaine O. Nsoesie and Blessing Mberu (Editors) Urban Health in Africa. Baltimore, Maryland, USA: Johns Hopkins University Press. Pp 1-14.
(Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025)Urban Health in Africa provides a comprehensive exploration of how rapid urbanization across the African continent shapes health outcomes, socio-economic wellbeing, and sustainability. Bringing together scholars and case ... -
Evaluation Report - the Liberia Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Investment Case (IC) 2016-2020
(Global Financing Facility, 2023)This Investment Case is an integral part of Liberia's policies and plans to achieve the SDGs related to RMNCAH by 2030. It further outlines Liberia's efforts under the UN Every Woman, Every Child initiative to end maternal ... -
RMNCAH Data Analysis Workshop for Sub-Saharan Africa - Senegal
(Countdown to 2030, 2022)This report describes the data, methods and results of these analyzes and offers some recommendations for improving the measurement and monitoring of RMNCAH indicators in Senegal. It focuses on national administrative ...
