A Crisis Quietly Boiling
In Juba, Health Minister Sarah Cleto Rial delivered a stark message: nearly every South Sudanese carries invisible scars of war and exile, making mental wellness a matter of national survival (Eye Radio, 2025).
Decades of conflict, inter-communal clashes and economic strain have woven trauma into daily life, from urban centres to remote cattle camps.
Inside the 2025–2029 Plan
The five-year Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Strategic Plan aims to embed counselling, diagnosis and referral services inside every primary care unit countrywide.
It advocates routine screening at outpatient desks, mobile outreach for nomadic communities, and new diploma courses to multiply the nation’s handful of psychiatrists.
Funding and Cross-Government Backing
Minister Rial pledged increased budget lines and closer coordination with education, justice, defence and interior portfolios to stabilise families and reintegrate former combatants.
Health officials say clear guidelines and supervision tools will help nurses manage depression, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress in village clinics.
Community Healing at Grassroots
Rial reminded citizens that recovery also begins in homes, citing the power of respectful dialogue between spouses and elders.
Traditional chiefs and faith leaders are being courted to champion kindness, reduce stigma and encourage early help-seeking.
Roadmap to Nationwide Coverage
Rollout will start in selected counties, with state governments tracking data to refine protocols before scaling nationwide.
Development partners have signalled support, but officials stress that domestic ownership will determine whether the strategy survives beyond donor cycles.