The delivery of mental healthcare in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), formerly Zaire, is influenced by geography, politics, legislation and the structure of the health system, as well as traditional beliefs and culture.

The DRC is in Central Africa; the Central African Republic and Sudan border to the north, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi to the east, Zambia and Angola to the south, and the Republic of Congo to the west; and it is separated from Tanzania by Lake Tanganyika to the east. The country occupies 2 345 408 km2, which is slightly greater than Spain, France, Germany, Sweden and Norway combined. For administrative purposes the country is divided into 11 provinces, each with a provincial headquarters.

The population is over 66 million, with 47% aged under 15 years and 4% over 60. Average life expectancy at birth is 46 years for men and 49 years for women. There are around 350 ethnic groups; the largest groups are the Kongo, Luba and Mongo peoples. There are also around 600 000 Pygmies, the aboriginal people of the DRC. Although some 700 local languages and dialects are spoken, there is widespread use of French (the official language); the most common local languages are Kongo, Tshiluba, Swahili and Lingala. Eighty per cent of the population are Christian, 10% Muslim and 10% follow traditional beliefs or syncretic sects (Central Intelligence Agency, 2008).

Before independence in 1960, the DRC was under Belgian colonial rule. The economy, despite the country's vast natural resources, has greatly declined since the mid-1980s. Recent conflicts, which began in 1996, have dramatically reduced national output and government revenue and increased the external debt, as well as resulting in famine and disease and 5 million conflict-related deaths (US State Department, 2009).

Despite a current lull in overall violence, the plight of people across the eastern DRC remains dire. Thousands have been displaced following renewed violence or rumours of impending violence. Achieving mental health for the population of the DRC is a priority for its economic recovery, achievement of physical health goals and creating resilience among the local people.