ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the intersection of mental health and African communitarianism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses the exacerbation of mental health challenges faced by vulnerable populations, including adolescents and women. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global mental well-being, including in Africa. Challenges such as depression, anxiety, and stress were heightened by poverty, unemployment, and living conditions across the continent. African communitarianism emphasises the importance of community and collective well-being within African societies, recognising interconnectedness and the role of the community in shaping identities and values. While communitarianism could provide social support for mental health, persistent challenges include stigma, limited resources, and service disruptions. Considering heterogeneity within and between African regions, comprehensive, context-specific mental health interventions are needed. This chapter concludes that effectively addressing mental health in Africa requires combining the strengths of communal systems with evidence-based practices. By adopting a moderate communitarian perspective, African societies could balance collective solidarity with individual well-being to benefit overall mental health.
