Health Guide

  Mental Health Is Health: Breaking the Stigma in Somalia Mental health is health. But for millions of people, stigma can become a barrier to receiving it. Mental health conditions are among the most important public health challenges of the 21st century. In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 1 billion people worldwide were living with a mental health condition, while most people affected still did not receive adequate care. Behind these numbers are people living with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, psychosis, substance-use disorders and other conditions. Yet the problem is not only a shortage of services. For many people, stigma itself becomes a barrier to care. Fear of being judged, rejected, discriminated against, labeled as "crazy," considered weak, or excluded from family and community life can prevent people from talking about their symptoms or seeking professional support. This is why mental...