Improving mental health for amputees in The Gambia

September 30, 2021

This World Mental Health Day the theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’. In The Gambia around 120,000 people suffer from mental illness, and only 10% of those get treatment. The layers of discrimination faced by people with limb differences mean for them, that percentage is even lower.

At Legs4Africa, we are committed to changing these statistics. We are proud to support vital services that protect precious brains and save lives.

What do we do?

Part of our emotional rehabilitation work in The Gambia focuses on supporting the Gambian Amputee Association (GAA).

They meet monthly to share experiences, counsel each other and hatch plans to lobby the government and advocate for disability rights.

The GAA is the only organisation of it’s kind in the whole country, and without it over 100 amputees would not have a safe space to meet, talk, and work through the trauma of limb loss.

Through the GAA, the mighty Gambian Amputee Football Team (GAFT) was formed. What started with just a few friends having a kickabout on the beach has now developed into something much, much bigger – the team are now involved with the Gambia National Paralympic Committee, and play competitive matches on a regular basis. The positive impact on the mental wellbeing of the players has been incredible.

“Football is important because it brings everyone together and makes us happy”
Lamin, Captain of GAFT

The other main focus of our mental health work is our peer counselling service.

In The Gambia there is still a huge amount of stigma attached to disability. This stigma means many people are so worried about how they will be treated after losing a limb that they refuse amputation – putting their lives at serious risk.

Through our counselling service, Alieu and Binta visit patients pre and post amputation to show them that there is a life beyond limb loss, and give them information on services and support groups.

Since the start of the year Alieu and Binta have supported 120 amputees through the trauma of limb loss.

Without them, these people would have received no mental health support.

Who have we supported?

“The emotional support programme is so important. It gives me courage and helps me to control my emotions”

“The football helps me to build my body and release endorphins to receive the pain in my brain. It reduces my stress”

“The peer counselling support I have received from Legs4Africa has been like a miracle for me”

Why is this so important?

How can you help?

This World Mental Health Day, you can support amputees through the trauma of limb loss and have twice the impact, through our match funded campaign Leg Up.

Donate to Leg Up and ensure more people in The Gambia have access to the support they need to soothe their precious brains. All donations will be doubled.

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About the author

Name: Tom Williams

My passion? Ensuring no prosthetic leg goes unused. I’m dedicated to collecting, refurbishing, and sending these vital pieces of technology to our partners in Africa, where they make a world of difference. When I’m not immersed in this mission at STAND, I’m often found outdoors, embracing nature. I love long walks in any season, camping under the stars, and enjoying the serenity of the great outdoors. My evenings often involve a unique hobby – maintaining and repairing old pinball machines. This blend of precision and nostalgia keeps me engaged and always learning. This fusion of dedication to my work and my love for nature and tinkering drives me every day, both at STAND and beyond.