WHO Expands Mental Health Support in Congo Ebola Response

Psychological care has become a key part of the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) are supporting patients, survivors, affected families and frontline workers. The initiative addresses fear, isolation, grief and stigma alongside medical treatment, as the outbreak recorded 8,787 cases, 4,242 confirmed deaths and 2,292 recoveries as of October 7, 2026.

The impact of Ebola can persist after patients recover from the virus. According to the WHO, survivors may experience anxiety, social rejection, financial difficulties and uncertainty about their future, while patients face isolation from relatives and fear of death during treatment.

Jean Vianney, a 44-year-old Ebola survivor, contracted the disease while caring for an ill relative and was admitted to the Ebola treatment center at Centre médical évangélique de Bunia. His psychological distress became so severe that he considered ending his life, according to his account of the experience.

He said the psychological support he received helped restore his confidence and encouraged him to continue treatment.

"At that point, I no longer wanted to eat or take my medication. They helped me regain confidence and understand that I, too, could overcome this disease," said Jean Vianney.

The Ministry of Health, supported by the WHO and other partners, has integrated mental health and psychosocial services throughout the Ebola response. Psychologists, psychosocial assistants and community workers provide support from the identification of suspected cases through treatment and reintegration into communities.

Follow-up clinics also help survivors discuss their experiences and access appropriate assistance. Dr. Huguette Mbuyi Musadi, a member of the Ministry of Health's identification and follow-up team for survivors, described the clinics as spaces where people can discuss difficulties encountered during treatment and after returning home.

"This support allows survivors to express the difficulties they experienced at the treatment center and in the community and to be referred to the assistance they need," said Dr. Huguette Mbuyi Musadi.

Survivors may face distrust from customers and neighbors, disruption to their livelihoods and isolation from their communities. Psychosocial teams respond through community visits, family support and group activities that help survivors reconnect with others.

The WHO also supports training for mental health specialists, psychosocial assistants and community workers in Ituri province. According to the organization, 193 community workers received training in psychological first aid, while 64 psychologists were trained. WHO psychologists and psychiatrists also provide direct services at Ebola treatment centers.

Dr. Martial Vagheni Mumbéré, the WHO's mental health lead for the Ebola response, said psychological support addresses a central source of distress during the outbreak.

"The fear of death is truly central to the Ebola outbreak," said Dr. Martial Vagheni Mumbéré.

He identified isolation, separation from loved ones and stigma as additional factors that can worsen psychological distress. Mental health services therefore extend to patients, survivors, families and health workers throughout the response.

Medical staff, safe and dignified burial teams, surveillance workers and other frontline personnel also receive psychosocial support. Their work exposes them to infection fears, heavy workloads and emotionally difficult situations.

Nearly 11,300 people have received mental health and psychosocial services at Ebola treatment and transit centers, according to the WHO. At the Bunia follow-up clinic, 318 Ebola survivors have received psychological interventions.

Jully, an Ebola survivor who works as a community mobilizer, highlighted the importance of peer support at survivor clinics.

"Here, survivors feel at home. When we come together, we truly are a family," said Jully.