Forensic mental health services in selected Sub Saharan African countries: A scoping review

This study synthesised the literature on forensic mental health services for offenders with mental health and substance use conditions in selected Sub-Saharan African countries to guide planned action research on a diversion program.

A scoping review methodology was applied, using a Boolean search strategy in retrieving publications from relevant databases and search engines. Selection of literature was facilitated by PRISMA-ScR.

Following forensic mental health services: psychiatric hospital-based, court-based, prison-based, community-based services and diversion programs. Forensic mental health services in the selected countries are fragmented. Poor multisectoral coordination, and limited of human, financial and infrastructural resources attributed to this fragmentation.

Where adoption of a diversion program is considered, it is important to focus on aligning interventions to local needs, priorities, capacities and resources to inform the application of international policy recommendations.