Equatorial Guinea

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There is no available information on any counselling background or context of Equatorial Guinea.

According to Reuter, McGinnis and Reuter (2016), the researchers indicated a need for improved mental health services in Equatorial Guinea, describing the need as “urgent”, “necessary”, and “important”. Besides, it is unclear what percentage of individuals in Equatorial Guinea currently suffer from mental illness, and whether segments of the population are at a higher risk than others.

There is no community care facilities for patients with mental disorders. Only traditional healers offer treatment at community level. NGOs are not involved with mental health in Equatorial Guinea.

The challenges that faced by Equatorial Guinea included lack of available specialists or doctors to treat mental health disorders and the shortage of available medications for the mentally ill because it is not financially beneficial for pharmacies to carry these types of drugs. In addition, formal educational opportunities on mental health were not available in Equatorial Guinea. 

In conclusion, there was an acceptance that the current mental health system in Equatorial Guinea does not adequately address the needs of communities. Although infrastructural capacity for mental health services may have recently increased in Equatorial Guinea, the lack of other resources (including training programs, knowledgeable staff, medications, and community support) may limit the effectiveness of these facilities and information-sharing among health professionals.

For a deeper exploration of the counselling profession in the country, interested readers are recommended to read the following journal articles:

• Reuter, P., McGinnis, S., & Reuter, K. (2016). Public health professionals’ perceptions of mental health services in Equatorial Guinea, Central-West Africa. Pan African Medical Journal, 25.