In both the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Somaliland, mental health care services are critically underdeveloped, with significant gaps in infrastructure, funding, and expertise. Mental health has long been a neglected area within the healthcare system, and while there have been some efforts to raise awareness about mental health issues, these efforts have not translated into a robust, accessible, and comprehensive mental health care system. The mental health needs of the general population, including forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) such as internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and asylum seekers, remain largely unaddressed by existing legal and policy frameworks.

In terms of legal and policy frameworks, there are few explicit provisions that specifically address mental health care, and even fewer that consider the unique needs of FDPs. Both the FGS and Somaliland have developed general health policies aimed at improving public health, but mental health is often either underrepresented or absent from these strategies. The national laws and regulations that govern healthcare do not provide a clear mandate for the integration of mental health services within the broader health system, and there are no specific legal instruments that address mental health as a priority issue. While the Constitution of Somalia guarantees the right to health for all citizens, including the right to mental health services, this right is not explicitly defined or protected within the legal framework, leaving it open to inconsistent interpretation and application.