Somali Health Action Journal

Recent Somali history has been characterized by internal conflicts, of civil war, recurring humanitarian disasters, protracted droughts, famine, food insecurity and under-nutrition, during these tragic decades of suffering. These circumstances have led to a high rate of poverty, psycho-social trauma, and the disruption of the healthcare system, with mental ill-health emerging as one of the leading public health challenges. This major cause of disability across the country has been amplified by many barriers to access to basic lifesaving mental health care, a problem that has been neglected for far too long.

This is a call for papers to be published by SHAJ in a special issue on mental health. We invite Somali academics and professionals to submit papers which address mental health in the Somali context. We aim to disseminate research findings and general information about the situation, creating awareness of the need for evidence-based action in key areas such as those listed below