“Till How Long Will We Struggle?”: A qualitative exploration of the lingering mental toll of COVID-19 on young people in Sudan and Malawi

During the COVID-19 pandemic, various aspects of life were significantly disrupted due to ill health, economic instability, and reduced social interactions precipitated by pandemic related restrictions. These disruptions exacerbated stress among young populations across the globe. This qualitative study explores how the pandemic affected the mental health of young Africans aged 18 to 24 years residing in Malawi and Sudan. We conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs), with 25 participants from Malawi and Sudan. Participants were recruited through a poster posted on Facebook and X (previously Twitter). These FGDs were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged from the analysis: (1) main challenges facing youth, including economic hardship, social pressures, and limited educational and employment opportunities; (2) stigma, lack of awareness, and limited availability of trained professionals as barriers to accessing mental health services; and (3) recommendations for improving mental health service delivery. Across these themes, participants voiced a need for community outreach, integrating mental health into primary care services, and providing culturally sensitive support tailored to the needs of young people. This study highlights key mental health challenges faced by young people in low-resource settings during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the need for tailored policies to support youth mental health during and after pandemics. Results underscore the need for community-based approaches to enhance mental health literacy and develop youth-focused mental health services in Malawi and Sudan. This research also provides valuable insights into potential preventive measures and interventions needed to mitigate these effects.