Mauritius

IAC Member Associations & Organizations

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IAC Education Institute Members

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Additional Education Institutes

Middlesex University Mauritius

IAC Member Centres/Group Practices

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Additional Centres/Group Practices

Halley Movement

Pascale Pougnet Psychology

According to the International Organisation of Health the Republic of Mauritius has had the highest suicide rate in Africa. While there are no statistics available for the prevalence of depressive disorder among Mauritian adolescents, the low rate of mental health specialists (approximately 1 psychiatrist and 1 psychologist per 100,000 of population) (World Health Organisation, 2005) suggests a high level of unmet need for the treatment of mental disorders, and is a strong argument for the need to assess preventative programs. 

Subsequently, there were no psychology degrees which were offered at the University of Mauritius (UoM), However in the year 2002, a Bachelor of Science degree in social science was first offered with a specialisation in Psychology. However, all practising Mauritians mental health practitioners have received a psychology training in a foreign country such as Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, France and India. According to the World Health Organization (2007) has emphasised that raising the awareness and importance of mental health at social and governmental levels must be a priority in low- and middle-in- come countries (such as South Africa and Mauritius). Considering the relationship between Psychology and social context, especially within the critical psychology literature (Prilleltensky & Nelson 2002), students’ views of applied psychology’s usefulness to their communities can provide significant insights for academics and teachers of the subject. 

Overtime, there is still no national registration or legislation governing the training or practice of professional psychology disciplines such as clinical psychology, educational psychology etc. There are, however, a small number of professional psychologists practicing in certain parts of the country, although they have received their training in foreign universities. Most of these psychologists have undertaken their training in France, because it did stem from the country’s historical links with France, as well as the linguistic patterns in the country. 

According to the statistical figures there are inaccurate numbers of counsellors that are unavailable in Mauritius, however there are many non-profit organization and private/clinical settings that are conducted by providing free consultancy to children that are abused, family conflicts and other mental health issues such as the difficulty that the client is having, distress he/she may be experiencing or perhaps his/her dissatisfaction with life, or loss of a sense of direction and purpose that support these individual beings.

According to a WHO report in 2016,  28·4 of every 1000 Mauritians have severe mental or substance abuse disorders, and severe psychiatric conditions have high prevalence. As mental health problems are a taboo in Mauritius often people do not come forward to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental illness. Mauritius are often labelled as pagla or fou, both meaning mad. Although bringing about rapid change in perceptions of mental health is hard, believing in change is still possible.   

There is no additional information on counselling in Mauritius.