Mauritania Establishes Pioneering Mental Health Support Center in Underserved Eastern Region

WHO-backed initiative transforms mental healthcare access in Timbedra, providing critical services to refugee and host populations

A groundbreaking mental health facility has taken root in the Hodh El Chargui region of eastern Mauritania, where psychological support services were previously nonexistent. The listening and psychosocial support center, established at Timbedra town’s health facility in May 2025 with World Health Organization backing, now provides dedicated assistance to individuals seeking safe spaces to discuss their emotional challenges.

Addressing critical gap in regional mental healthcare

Before the center’s establishment, mental health remained significantly underaddressed within Timbedra’s health services. The facility lacked specialized services, leaving individuals experiencing emotional distress or family tensions without structured support systems. Both refugee and host populations faced their difficulties in an environment where no dedicated infrastructure existed to provide professional assistance.

The initiative introduced a comprehensive framework for welcoming and listening to beneficiaries while facilitating adapted practices and creating confidential environments where people could safely express their struggles without fear of judgment or stigma.

First structured psychosocial service transforms healthcare landscape

The creation of this listening space marked a transformative turning point for the region. Designed to offer welcoming and respectful environments, it represents the first structured psychosocial service integrated within the health center’s operations. The establishment included comprehensive staff training to ensure appropriate support tailored to identified community needs.

Mariem, among the first beneficiaries of this innovative service, described its profound impact on her wellbeing. “Before coming here, I couldn’t sleep. Thoughts kept spinning in my head, I was afraid of everything, even of myself. This is the first time I feel truly heard,” she explained, illustrating the transformative potential of accessible mental health support.

Comprehensive training builds local capacity

Three health workers received specialized training through WHO support: two midwives and the chief physician of the Moughataa administrative department. These training sessions equipped local staff with essential skills for providing quality mental health care while covering psychological first aid and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

The acquired skills enabled the healthcare team to adapt their practice and provide more effective support to individuals seeking assistance, demonstrating how targeted capacity building can transform service delivery in resource-limited settings.

Measurable impact demonstrates service effectiveness

One year after launch, initial results clearly illustrate the initiative’s positive community impact. The service has provided 10 individual consultations, offering targeted support to people experiencing distress, while facilitating four family mediations that helped ease household tensions.

Additionally, four awareness sessions were organized, each engaging approximately 15 participants, while two complex cases received referrals to specialized structures. These activities demonstrate the initiative’s gradual integration into daily health center operations while meeting genuine community needs.

Staff testimonials confirm transformation capacity

Fatimetou, a midwife responsible for mental health and psychosocial activities at the center, testified to observable changes since service introduction. “Thanks to the training we received, we are better prepared to listen, understand and support the people who come here. Before, we didn’t have the necessary tools. Today, we can truly help,” she explained, highlighting training’s concrete impact on service delivery.

Dr. Mohamed Lemine, chief physician of Timbedra’s Moughataa, emphasized the initiative’s strategic importance. “WHO’s support has helped fill a real gap at the Timbedra health centre. The establishment of this listening space and the strengthening of staff skills represent a major step forward in better addressing the mental health needs of both refugee and host populations.”

Successful interventions demonstrate practical value

The center’s activities have proven their effectiveness through tangible outcomes. One family mediation successfully prevented a divorce, illustrating how structured support can ease delicate situations while strengthening harmony within households and communities.

Foundation for national mental health strategy

Dr. Charlotte Faty Ndiaye, WHO Representative in Mauritania, positioned this initiative within broader health system strengthening efforts. “The initiatives implemented in Hodh El Chargui show that mental health can be effectively integrated into primary health care, even in fragile contexts. They provide a solid foundation for the future national strategy on mental health and addiction in Mauritania,” she emphasized.

Transformed lives reflect program success

Mariem’s journey through the listening space exemplifies the center’s transformative potential. “Here, I understood that I wasn’t alone. Little by little, I’m learning to breathe, to speak, to live without fear controlling me. I believe things can really change,” she reflected, demonstrating renewed confidence and hope for the future.