Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, the Gambia) – Inside the wards of Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Jainaba Jallow confronts a daily reality that many Gambians still hesitate to acknowledge: the country’s escalating mental health crisis, driven by drug abuse, stigma, and silence.
“Mental illness will not skip your door,” she said firmly. “Either you know someone suffering from it, you’ve heard of someone, or you are dealing with it yourself. It’s that common.”
As one of the few doctors specializing in psychiatry in The Gambia, Dr. Jallow has witnessed how misunderstood and neglected mental health remains. Despite increased conversations, thousands continue to suffer in silence, hidden behind shame, fear, and societal judgment.
“In a country of over 2.4 million people, many still don’t believe mental health issues are real,” she noted. “That’s why raising awareness and reducing stigma is so important.”
At Tanka Tanka, more than 85% of patients are admitted with drug-induced psychosis—mostly young men whose lives unravel due to substance abuse. For Dr. Jallow, the trend is not only alarming but also deeply personal, as each case represents a life that could have been preserved with stronger education, family support, and tighter drug regulation.
“Our borders are porous, and there’s no strict regulation on drug entry,” she explained. “This is not just a health problem; it’s a national issue. The Ministry of Health cannot do it alone—we need the Ministry of Interior, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and other institutions to work together.”
Beyond the statistics lies a painful human reality: the way families and communities treat those battling mental illness. Many patients, she said, are abandoned because relatives believe their condition is the result of curses or spiritual punishment.
“The stigmatization is overwhelming,” Dr. Jallow lamented. “We have patients who remain here for months without a single visit. Some are left completely alone. It’s heartbreaking to see.”
For her, healing goes far beyond medication. Lasting recovery, she believes, requires compassion and community involvement.
“A doctor can treat the biological part,” she explained, “but the psychosocial aspect—love, support, and acceptance—must come from family and society.”
Despite limited resources, Dr. Jallow and her colleagues remain committed to their mission: treating patients while advocating for collaboration across government agencies and communities.
She is hopeful that with collective effort, education, and empathy, the stigma surrounding mental health in The Gambia can finally be broken.
“We must stop treating mental illness like a curse,” she said. “It is an illness, and every patient deserves care, dignity, and a chance to heal.”
