A Policy Analysis of Post-Ebola Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Systems for Health Workers in Guinea, 2021–2026

This policy analysis examines the development and implementation of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) systems for health workers in Guinea between 2021 and 2026, following the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic. It addresses the critical gap in understanding how national policy has evolved to support a workforce enduring significant psychological trauma and burnout. Employing a structured qualitative document analysis, the study applied a defined policy analysis framework to scrutinise Guinea’s post-2020 national health policies, strategic plans, and ministerial decrees. These were systematically assessed for their coherence and alignment with international MHPSS guidelines for emergency contexts. The findings demonstrate that, whilst policy recognition of health worker mental health has advanced by 2026, substantial implementation gaps persist. These include fragmented service delivery mechanisms, inadequate dedicated financing, and insufficient training for supervisors in psychosocial support. The analysis concludes that MHPSS for health workers remains inadequately integrated into routine health systems strengthening and emergency preparedness plans. To build a resilient health workforce as a cornerstone of universal health coverage, the study recommends the systematic institutionalisation of sustainable, culturally competent mental health support within Guinea’s health sector. This requires explicit budgetary allocation, clarified operational roles, and the mainstreaming of MHPSS into all health policy planning.