Abstract

Mental health services in South Africa and Nigeria were compared using the reports of World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS) of both countries. WHO-AIMS assessment reveals the extent of implementation and provision of mental health care services. South Africa has made considerable progress with restructuring its mental health care system that provides mental health care at the community level. Nigeria, in spite of adopting mental health care as part of its primary health care services and having a strong academic history in psychiatry, does not provide services in rural communities. It is important for Nigeria that mental health care nurses become advocates for mental health policy reforms to improve access, and that countries with similar challenges learn from each other about providing care for people who cannot care for themselves, namely, the mentally challenged.

Keywords: Advocacy, integrated care, mental health policy, mental health services, primary health care.