About trauma
After a traumatic experience it is common to have intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance or to avoid reminders. When these persist, trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR or trauma-focused CBT can help. Look for a professional with specific training in trauma.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors specialised in mental health. They diagnose, prescribe and monitor medication and may also provide psychotherapy. They are usually the first choice when medication may be needed or symptoms are severe.
Getting mental health care in Togo
Public health system · Public health system (Ministère de la Santé)
Public psychiatric care is limited and concentrated in a few facilities: the university psychiatry clinics of CHU Sylvanus Olympio and CHU Campus in Lomé, and the psychiatric hospital at Zébé (Aného). Some regional and prefectural hospitals have small mental health units staffed mainly by psychiatric nurses. Patient costs and waiting times are not well documented.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ordre National des Médecins du Togo. Physicians, including psychiatrists, practising in Togo are bound by the medical code of ethics (Decree 2013-045) and subject to the disciplinary chamber of the Ordre National des Médecins. No specific law regulating the title of psychologist could be verified.
Urgent help in Togo
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 8200 · Ambulance
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: hsd-fmsb.org, extranet.who.int, who.int
Signs to look out for
After a frightening or overwhelming event, it is normal to feel shaken for a while. It is worth seeking help when, weeks later, you still have intrusive memories or nightmares, feel constantly on guard, startle easily, avoid anything that reminds you of what happened, feel numb or disconnected, or notice that it is affecting your sleep, relationships or work. Trauma can also stem from repeated experiences in childhood.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Trauma-focused therapies have strong evidence, especially trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure and EMDR. Psychologists, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists with specific trauma training are the main professionals. For complex trauma, therapy often starts by building safety and emotional regulation. A psychiatrist can assess whether medication may help with symptoms such as sleep problems or severe anxiety.
When to seek urgent help
If you are in danger now, or the person who harmed you is still a threat, contact your local emergency services. Seek urgent help too if you have thoughts of ending your life or harming yourself, or if you feel completely disconnected from reality. After a physical or sexual assault, medical care is important even if there are no visible injuries.
What you can do in the meantime
Be patient with yourself: your reactions are a response to something abnormal. Try to keep simple routines, sleep and meals, and spend time with people who make you feel safe. Grounding techniques, such as noticing what you can see and hear around you, can help when memories intrude. Avoid using alcohol or drugs to numb feelings, and choose when and with whom you share your story.
What does a psychiatrist do?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who assesses mental health problems from a medical point of view. Day to day they carry out diagnostic interviews, rule out physical causes, decide whether medication could help, prescribe it and monitor its effects and side effects. Many also offer psychotherapy or work alongside psychologists. They see adults, older people and, if specialised, children and adolescents.
When to see a psychiatrist
Consider a psychiatrist when symptoms are intense or long-lasting, when therapy alone has not been enough, when you are already taking psychiatric medication, or when there are experiences such as severe mood swings, hearing or seeing things others do not, or very disturbed sleep. If what you mainly need is talking therapy for everyday difficulties, a psychologist or psychotherapist may fit better.
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 Togo cover psychological care?
Public psychiatric care is limited and concentrated in a few facilities: the university psychiatry clinics of CHU Sylvanus Olympio and CHU Campus in Lomé, and the psychiatric hospital at Zébé (Aného). Some regional and prefectural hospitals have small mental health units staffed mainly by psychiatric nurses. Patient costs and waiting times are not well documented.
How do I check that a psychiatrist is licensed in Togo?
Ordre National des Médecins du Togo: Physicians, including psychiatrists, practising in Togo are bound by the medical code of ethics (Decree 2013-045) and subject to the disciplinary chamber of the Ordre National des Médecins. No specific law regulating the title of psychologist could be verified.