Nurturing Next-Generation Psychiatrists: St. George’s University Highlights Approaches to Supporting Mental Health Care in Africa

As the world observes Mental Health Awareness Month, the focus on psychological well-being has never been more critical in Africa. In 2025, the World Health Organisation reported that nearly 150 million people in Africa are living with mental health conditions, highlighting the scale of the crisis across the continent.

Despite this burden, access to care remains severely constrained. According to a 2025 UNICEF regional analysis, Africa has approximately 1.4 mental health workers per 100,000 people, compared to a global average of around 9 per 100,000. This significant workforce gap continues to limit early diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care across the continent.

Suicide also remains a critical concern, ranking among the leading causes of death globally for young people aged 15–29. These developments underscore the ongoing need for accessible and effective mental health care. St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, highlights the role of medical education in preparing future physicians to address mental health challenges through training in psychiatry and patient-centred care.

SGU emphasises an approach to psychiatry education that encourages students to engage with patients thoughtfully and respectfully, recognising the importance of understanding individual experiences. “Psychiatry reminds us that medicine is not only about treating disease, but about understanding people,” said Dr. Elizabeth Ryznar, Associate Chair of Psychiatry (US) and Professor of Medicine at SGU.

“The most important humanistic lesson I impart to my students is that we are all humans, all worthy of the same dignity. Unfortunately, we still encounter stigma against psychiatric patients within the healthcare system and our broader society, and we need to remember that every person is doing the best they can. The empathy and communication skills you can practice in your psychiatric rotation will make a big difference in whatever area of medicine you choose to practice in,” she continued.

For African students who would like to pursue psychiatry, SGU outlines several potential areas of focus, including:
* specific patient populations, such as those defined by diagnosis, cultural background, or forensic considerations
* particular treatment approaches, including psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, or interventional psychiatry
* diverse care settings, such as inpatient, outpatient, residential programs, partial hospitalization programs, or emergency departments

In addition to academic training, SGU incorporates student well-being considerations into its programs. These include maintaining structured schedules to balance life and rest, cultivating strong support systems with peers and mentor networks, engaging in hobbies outside of academics or work to relieve stress, and recognising when to step back and seek support.
Through its MD programs, SGU aims to prepare medical graduates with both clinical competencies and an awareness of patient-centred care principles. In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, SGU remains dedicated to training doctors who are prepared to meet evolving mental health needs with both skill and deep-seated empathy.

For more information on the programs and tracks available through SGU School of Medicine, visit SGU’s website.