Contextualising adolescent emotional development in Africa: toward culturally grounded interventions

Recent research indicates prevalence rates of 27%, 30% and 21% for depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), respectively, among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa.1 This is a major public health concern as Africa has a growing youth bulge and limited resources.1,2 Emotional (wellbeing) literacy is key in the prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental wellbeing.3 This is especially crucial in Africa where early exposure to adversity compounds the challenges experienced by young people.