Honouring Mental Health in Mbougong Mbouda Mission

Honouring Mental Health in Mbougong Mbouda, Cameroon

The month of May is dedicated to raising awareness and support for individuals living with mental disabilities. Since 2020, when the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR) began their new mission in the West Region of Cameroon, we have witnessed a growing number of individuals suffering from mental health conditions, often seen wandering the streets in distress.

Our Response at Holy Family Health Facility, Mbougong Mbouda

Currently, we are providing care for five individuals with mental illnesses at our Holy Family Health Facility in Mbougong Mbouda.

Our mission has expanded to include mental health care as a core component of our services.

Recognition and Inspiration

Two years ago, I submitted a collection of stories to the African Sisters Education Collaboration (ASEC), one of which focused on our mental health outreach.

The story received recognition and appreciation from the ASEC program. This acknowledgement has

deepened my compassion and strengthened my commitment to serve this vulnerable population.

With the support of our health management team and board, we officially integrated mental health care into our service package. Thanks to the generous support of ASEC, we received a one-year donation that helped us enhance our efforts.

Our Services and Impact

We provide comprehensive care addressing the following needs:

Basic and physical needs

Medical care and monthly therapy

Social support and interaction

Hygiene education and environmental awareness

These interventions have had a remarkable impact. The individuals under our care are showing signs of improvement — they are more stable, increasingly self-aware, and beginning to reason clearly.

Challenges We Face

Despite the progress, we continue to encounter significant challenges:

Families struggle to provide continued care and follow-up.

Limited infrastructure and resources hinder sustainable support.

Financial constraints persist; our facility is currently waiving medical fees, which is not viable in the long term.

Looking Ahead

We have achieved a lot, but the need remains great. With additional support, we can expand our reach and deepen our impact. The families are grateful, and the progress is visible. These individuals deserve our continued compassion and care.