Despite the high prevalence of mental illness in Africa, global attraction and attention to HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis have overshadowed the high prevalence of mental illness in Sub-Saharan Africa. Factors such as being an orphan, exposure to gender-based violence during childhood, armed conflicts, poor socio-economy, parental illness such as HIV/AIDS, unhealthy cultural practices, and stigma further compound the burden of mental illness particularly in young people. There are cost-effective ways to tackle mental health symptoms at an early stage, by addressing maternal mental health. This can include counselling and psychotherapy, the use of African traditional and modern religion, addressing risk factors embedded within social structures, increased family support and child playtime, and maximizing locally derived sources of meaning-making and healing that could improve well-being.