Togo

An officially approved mental health policy exists and was approved in 1994. Mental health is specifically mentioned in the general health policy. The mental health plan components include:

• Timelines for the implementation of the mental health plan.
•  Funding allocation for the implementation of half or more of the items in the mental health plan.
• A shift of services and resources from mental hospitals to community mental health facilities.
• Integration of mental health services into primary care.
  Dedicated mental health legislation does not exist. However, legal provisions concerning mental health are covered in other laws (e.g., welfare, disability, general health legislation, etc.).
  According to Mental Health ATLAS, the last updated mental health policy plan was in 2015.
  When it comes to mental health practice, people prefer traditional medicine because of its availability, and most of the population believes that mental illnesses are caused by evil spirits or spells. Habitually, they go to Christian prayer camps in the belief that they will help them. Only after the disorder progresses they go to the psychiatrist, usually after they have spent all the money. Traditional healers usually cost expensive (ex; goats), and they end up moneyless and still sick.

In Togo, there is a relatively large number of psychology graduates, but they are not appropriately trained or employed for clinical work. Moreover, Togo has only two psychiatrists.