Integrating mental health into student-led rural health campaigns: a scalable model for underserved communities.
1
Medicine, Université des Montagnes, Bangangté, Cameroon
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Mental health remains neglected in rural africa, where stigma and limited services restrict access. Traditional health campaigns emphasize physical conditions while overlooking psychosocial needs. A student-led initiative in cameroon tested the feasibility of embedding mental health promotion into a community campaign model.^1
METHODS:
From 3–10 august 2025, more than 70 students from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and laboratory sciences integrated mental health sessions alongside general services at the balengou integrated health center. Activities included talks on stress, substance use, and adolescent wellbeing, screening questions during consultations, and referral pathways for complex cases. Observations, feedback, and service records were analyzed.
RESULTS:
A total of 272 consultations were recorded, including 38 adolescents reporting stress-related concerns and 12 adults with symptoms consistent with anxiety or depression. Students reported improved skills in counseling and communication. Community members welcomed the integration of mental health into routine services. The main limitation was lack of specialist supervision for complex cases.
CONCLUSIONS:
Integrating mental health into student-led rural campaigns is feasible, acceptable, and scalable. It addresses a neglected dimension of rural health and builds workforce capacity in communication and psychosocial care. Stronger partnerships with mental health professionals could enhance supervision and follow-up.
Mental health remains neglected in rural africa, where stigma and limited services restrict access. Traditional health campaigns emphasize physical conditions while overlooking psychosocial needs. A student-led initiative in cameroon tested the feasibility of embedding mental health promotion into a community campaign model.^1
METHODS:
From 3–10 august 2025, more than 70 students from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and laboratory sciences integrated mental health sessions alongside general services at the balengou integrated health center. Activities included talks on stress, substance use, and adolescent wellbeing, screening questions during consultations, and referral pathways for complex cases. Observations, feedback, and service records were analyzed.
RESULTS:
A total of 272 consultations were recorded, including 38 adolescents reporting stress-related concerns and 12 adults with symptoms consistent with anxiety or depression. Students reported improved skills in counseling and communication. Community members welcomed the integration of mental health into routine services. The main limitation was lack of specialist supervision for complex cases.
CONCLUSIONS:
Integrating mental health into student-led rural campaigns is feasible, acceptable, and scalable. It addresses a neglected dimension of rural health and builds workforce capacity in communication and psychosocial care. Stronger partnerships with mental health professionals could enhance supervision and follow-up.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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