Whether it is a slow-healing physical wound, a herd decimated by infectious diseases, household food shortage or the sudden loss of a loved one, these crises leave far more than physical or economic scars, but they are profound triggers for mental distress.
Depressive and anxiety symptoms frequently accompany physical illness and manifest across the continuum of care. Research conducted in Taabo, Cรดte d’Ivoire, highlights this burden, showing that anxiety affects 25.5% of small wounds patients managed at home by community health workers, rising to 49% in health centers and reaching 77.4% in general hospital settings where years of chronic wounds prevail.
“If we had acted differently, he would still be alive.” These words from a father mourning his child encapsulate the invisible tragedy of rabies. As part of the GAVI-PEP-PEV project implemented by Afrique One and its partners, field interviews in central and southern Cรดte d’Ivoire uncovered a heavy psychological toll on families and caregivers. Parents and vaccinated exposed patient face persistent anxiety, crushing guilt, and intense social stigma. To cope, many flee their homes in search of solace, while others endure their trauma in total silence, fearing the judgment of those around them.
This invisible trauma is equally evident when disease strikes livestock. Animals are much more than a source of income, food, and financial stability; they are often cherished companions and livelihoods. When a herd is wiped out, the devastation reaches straight into the owner’s emotional core, proving that the true cost of disease is never just material. In a revealing study of 350 farmers in Ghana, Afrique One found that losing livestock to disease takes a heavy toll on the mind. Farmers facing catastrophic losses reported significantly lower psychological well-being than those who escaped major impacts. This proves that investing in animal health and veterinary care is about much more than safeguarding food and income. It is a critical investment in the emotional survival of rural communities. Whether tracking human or animal crises, Afrique Oneโs research points to a single undeniable conclusion that mental health cannot be separated from daily life. Animal disease, environmental threats, food shortage, chronic illness, and financial strain do not happen in a vacuum; they combine to wear down the human spirit.
“The data collected across Afrique One research illustrate diverse dimensions of vulnerability. They underscore the necessity of moving beyond surface-level symptoms to account for the structural determinants of well-being. Through the One Health approach, Afrique One offers an integrative framework that bridges disciplines, services, and communities to address these crises effectively. Protecting mental health is, therefore, inseparable from protecting living environments, economic livelihoods, and social cohesion.” – Prof. Bassirou Bonfoh, Director of Afrique One
To achieve a full health and well-being, Afrique One notes that it is necessary to integrate the identification of psychological distress and referral to appropriate services into community care (e.g. The Friendship Bench), while improving access to early Neglected Tropical Diseases care and strengthening linkages between community health workers and health facilities. Furthermore, efforts must focus on strengthening animal disease prevention and access to veterinary services for livestock farmers (e.g. Vaccination Program), alongside actively supporting families and communities facing bereavement, illness, or the loss of livelihoods. It is essential to involve communities directly in responses and ensure that interventions fully account for their social, economic, and cultural realities.
Watch our communication on the issue and presented at the World One Health Congress in Lisbon, Portugal : https://youtu.be/MX-4mkTtHVU?si=wkhLTtl4AUntK6Gjย
References
- Coulibaly ID, Kone BV, Lokonon BE, Koffi DY, N’krumah TASR, Nuvey FS, Vanga AF, Bonfoh B. Prevalence and associated factors of anxiety and depression among patients with wounds: An exploratory cross-sectional study in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system, Cรดte d’Ivoire. [eos]Glob Ment Health (Camb). [eos]2026 Jan 22; [eos]13:e29. [eos]doi: 10.1017/gmh.2026.10133. [eos]PMID: 41717355; [eos]PMCID: PMC12914471.
- Nuvey FS, Kreppel K, Nortey PA, Addo-Lartey A, Sarfo B, Fokou G, Ameme DK, Kenu E, Sackey S, Addo KK, Afari E, Chibanda D, Bonfoh B. Poor mental health of livestock farmers in Africa: a mixed methods case study from Ghana. BMC Public Health. 2020 Jun 1; 20(1):825. DOI: 10.1186/S12889-020-08949-2. PMID: 32487132; PMCID: PMC7268426.
Photo credit: Magnific.com
