About behavioral problems
Tantrums, defiance or aggressive behaviour that are frequent and intense can strain family life. Interventions usually involve the parents, with practical strategies for routines, limits and communication, and work with the child adapted to their age.
Neuropsychologists assess and rehabilitate memory, attention, language and other cognitive functions after brain injury, stroke or in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Getting mental health care in Burkina Faso
Public health system · Public health system - psychiatry services at CHU Yalgado Ouédraogo (Ouagadougou) and CHU Souro Sanou (Bobo-Dioulasso)
Specialist psychiatric care is concentrated in the university hospitals of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso; about 42 public facilities, mostly district medical centres staffed by psychiatric nurses, offer some mental health care. The public sector has only around nine to eleven psychiatrists and a handful of psychologists. Care is not free: the official public tariff for a consultation with a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is 2,000 FCFA, and patients also pay for medicines and hospital stays.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ordre National des Médecins du Burkina Faso. Under Law No. 028-2012/AN the Order groups all doctors authorised to practise in Burkina Faso, and health facilities require registration on its roll. Ask for the doctor's registration number.
Insurance and coverage
Universal health insurance (RAMU) began operating in 2023 but covers only a small share of the population; outpatient and inpatient mental health care is generally paid by the patient or family.
Urgent help in Burkina Faso
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 17 · Police secours
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: fluechtlingshilfe.ch, apps.who.int, ordremedecinsburkina.bf, extranet.who.int
Signs to look out for
All children test limits and have tantrums at times. It may be worth seeking help when defiance, aggression, intense tantrums, lying, breaking rules or destructive behaviour are frequent, last for months, happen in several settings such as home and school, and cause problems with family life, learning or friendships. Sudden changes in behaviour can also signal stress, anxiety or difficulties elsewhere.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Parent training programmes based on behavioural principles have strong evidence for children’s behaviour problems. Family therapy and cognitive-behavioural approaches for the child or teenager, including emotional regulation and problem-solving skills, also help. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists, family therapists and educational psychologists usually lead the work. An assessment can identify contributing factors such as ADHD, learning difficulties or anxiety.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services if a child or teenager is seriously hurting themselves or others, has a weapon, is missing, or talks about suicide. Seek urgent help too if you suspect drug use with signs of intoxication. If you feel you might lose control and harm your child, step away safely and seek support immediately; asking for help is responsible.
What you can do in the meantime
Notice and praise specific good behaviour, and spend a little one-to-one time each day doing something your child enjoys. Keep rules few, clear and consistent between adults, with calm, predictable consequences. Avoid shouting and physical punishment, which tend to worsen behaviour. Look after your own stress and sleep, and talk to the school to work together.
What does a neuropsychologist do?
A neuropsychologist studies how the brain relates to thinking and behaviour. Day to day they carry out detailed assessments of memory, attention, language, planning and other cognitive functions using standardised tests, write reports, and design rehabilitation or stimulation programmes. They work with people after a stroke or brain injury, with neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental conditions, and with their families and medical teams.
When to see a neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist can help when there are noticeable changes in memory, concentration, language or behaviour, after a head injury or stroke, with concerns about cognitive decline, or to clarify learning or attention difficulties. They are also useful to plan rehabilitation and adapt daily life. If the concern is mainly emotional, a psychologist may fit better; medical causes need a neurologist.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Burkina Faso cover psychological care?
Specialist psychiatric care is concentrated in the university hospitals of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso; about 42 public facilities, mostly district medical centres staffed by psychiatric nurses, offer some mental health care. The public sector has only around nine to eleven psychiatrists and a handful of psychologists. Care is not free: the official public tariff for a consultation with a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is 2,000 FCFA, and patients also pay for medicines and hospital stays.
How do I check that a neuropsychologist is licensed in Burkina Faso?
Ordre National des Médecins du Burkina Faso: Under Law No. 028-2012/AN the Order groups all doctors authorised to practise in Burkina Faso, and health facilities require registration on its roll. Ask for the doctor's registration number.