Mental health and educational support strategies for students with learning disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa

Learning disabilities limit students’ participation in education and pose restrictions on their daily functioning, as they are often excluded from mainstream schools and lack adequate support due to stigmatization, poor inclusive teaching resources, and limited trained special educators. This narrative review aims to examine the relationship between mental health and educational support strategies for students with learning disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. For this review, a literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, alongside organizational reports from the United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and World Health Organization repositories. The search was narrowed down to studies published between 2010 and 2025, using search terms such as “learning disabilities,” “learning disorders,” “neurodevelopmental disorders,” “mental health,” “psychosocial,” “child development,” “education,” “school-based,” “inclusive education,” and “Sub-Saharan Africa,” as well as specific SSA country names. Due to the heterogeneous nature of the study designs, a narrative review was considered appropriate. Results from the reviewed studies showed that students with learning disabilities experience common mental health challenges, particularly depression, anxiety, substance use, and social stigma. Identified support strategies include early childhood development centers offering assessment and therapy, the use of alternative communication methods, and caregiver training. However, implementation is hindered by a lack of mental health literacy, a shortage of professionally trained special educators, and the government’s inadequate focus on inclusive education. Overall, the review highlights the need for multi-sectoral approaches to improving the educational and mental health outcomes of students with learning disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa.