Due to the evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on lives and livelihoods, countries all over the world including The Gambia are challenged with new realities that threaten health, wellness and security of all people. Among these, frontline health workers, persons in quarantine and treatment centres as well as families living in fear and anxiety resulting from the uncertainties perpetuated by the pandemic are most affected and must be provided with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS), to ease daily life and help in mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

As a result, the Ministry of Health with support from UNFPA The Gambia on 14 July 2020 as part of the agency’s contributions to the National COVID-19 response organised a training of institutions and organisations that provide MHPSS on The Gambia’s Psychosocial Support Referral Pathway. The referral pathway is meant to streamline mental health and psychosocial support service provision and reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic by creating a close and coordinated relationship between all actors in the MHPSS response mechanism and ensuring the provision of the best possible care to those who need it.

The provision of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services and addressing Gender-Based Violence is one of the three strategic areas UNFPA The Gambia is contributing towards in the National COVID-19 response and is hinged upon UNFPA’s Global COVID-19 Response Plan. Guided by this global plan, UNFPA remains committed to continue supporting the Government of The Gambia in its COVID-19 response, especially through investments aimed at promoting the health and wellbeing of women, young people and adolescent girls.

Media contact:

Haddy Jonga - Programme Analyst Communications, UNFPA The Gambia jonga@unfpa.org