Taking mental health into account in the Far North of Cameroon

Action Against Hunger, through the “Confluences” project funded by the Agence Française de Development, is enhancing the skills of health teams in the Tokombéré health district in relation to the mhGAP protocol.

The training and oversight of health workers on this protocol are aimed at improving patient access to mental health services. Several health workers from local facilities are being trained to manage and refer common mental health cases diagnosed within their healthcare centers.

One nurse recounts her experience

My name is BB and I work as a nurse in a health center. I would like to share my experience of working with young patient Y, an encounter that illustrates the importance of considering mental health in the care process.

Y is a 34-year-old married mother who is breastfeeding and lives in the village of Sava with her husband and their five children. In July, she visited a healthcare facility, accompanied by one of her children, due to multiple health issues. During the consultation, she mentioned experiencing symptoms such as general fatigue, heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, and feelings of avoidance.

After reviewing her medical history, it became clear that Y had visited the health center a week prior with similar concerns. This led me to explore the underlying causes of her symptoms more thoroughly, focusing especially on psychological factors. Once I assured her that our discussion would remain confidential and created a trusting environment, Y began to open up about the root of her issues.

She recalled: “It all started when I witnessed an accident on my way back from Mora, where a young man died instantly. Since then, the memory keeps resurfacing as if it just happened. I have not been able to sleep properly; I frequently wake up abruptly at night and during the day, I feel pain all over my body, which stops me from working. I am even afraid to get on a motorcycle now.”

After carefully listening to Y, I explained that her symptoms were a normal response to having experienced a traumatic event and that they should gradually subside over time. I recommended psychosocial support to help ease her symptoms and improve her mental well-being.

With her consent, we set up bi-weekly follow-up sessions. In the early sessions, we concentrated on improving her sleep hygiene by establishing a consistent routine and avoiding stimulant such as coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks, which could worsen her insomnia. At the end of each session, I guided Y through a relaxation exercise based on heart coherence to help her fall asleep more easily.

During the second session, Y expressed contentment with her development, remarking: “I have been feeling better since that day I was here. I no longer wake up as abruptly as before. I have hope that things will change and that I will feel much better.” We continued our efforts to enhance her social support by urging her to take up her family and household responsibilities that instilled a sense of pride in her, along with her community involvement.

During our third session, which marked the end of her follow-up, Y conveyed her satisfaction with the progress achieved. She stated: “It is a great opportunity for me to come here and talk about my problems. I have learned so much; this will help me in my life. Thank you very much for your help; may God bless you even more.”

This encouraging feedback underscores the considerable influence of effective support and a psychosocial approach on the rehabilitation of individuals who have faced traumatic experiences. Y’s dedication to enhancing her well-being stands as a motivating example of resilience and courage.

The Confluences project in Cameroon

The Far North region of Cameroon is confronted with various challenges, including natural disasters, armed conflicts, and health emergencies—such as droughts, floods, and violence. These issues result in dire outcomes like famine, displacement of populations, and a rise in disease prevalence. To address these urgent challenges, swift action is crucial; thus, the Confluences project has been initiated. This multi-year partnership agreement, implemented by Action Against Hunger with funding from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), operates within the Tokombéré health district.

As part of this initiative, a range of mental health activities is implemented across several healthcare facilities, including Seradoumda, Warba, Mayo-Ouldemé, Tokombéré 2, Mokio, and Makalingai.

It was during a consultation at the Seradoumda Health Centre that Nurse BB met Y, a young woman from Sava village. This encounter exemplifies the dedication of the Confluences project to meet the mental health needs of vulnerable populations in the region by offering vital support in a crisis.