Strengthening Adolescent Well-Being: A Call for Integrated Mental Health and Sexual Reproductive Health Policies in East and Southern Africa

Abstract

This policy brief emphasizes the critical need for integrated policy approaches that address both adolescent mental health and sexual and reproductive health across East and Southern Africa. Highlighting adolescence as a pivotal developmental period with unique physiological, psychological, and reproductive transitions, the brief reviews evidence showing the bidirectional links between mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression) and adverse sexual and reproductive outcomes (e.g., unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections). It argues that integrating mental health and SRHR services within policy and health systems can broaden access, improve health outcomes, and better support adolescent well?being, while calling for clear policy directions to ensure effective service integration across the region.