MENTAL HEALTH[FINAL....................pptx

Mental health status in Zimbabwe

1. MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTIONS IN ZIMBABWE AND OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES - STIGMA NKOMO LETHIZULU DAVIES MEDICAL STUDENT: NUST [email protected] 2021 SPECIAL THANKS : Jephias Muzire Tinotenda Tota

2. OBJECTIVES Definition of terms Data from Africa Causes of mental health issues in africa Mental health promotions Challenges faced in mental health promotions in Africa

3. MENTAL HEALTH Is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make contribution to his or her community. (Who) Health is not complete without mental health according to the WHO definition of health. MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION Involves actions that improve psychological wellbeing

4. Data from A frica Number of people who visit mental institutes in A frica is 14 per 100000 which is less than the global annual rate of 1051 per 100 000. As of 2017 Z imbabwe statistics were as follows: Percentage of population Suicide 1.8 (higher in man than in women) Alcohol use disorder 1.3 Drug use disorder 0.7 schizophrenia 0.1 Bipolar disorder 0.5 MDD 1.5 Epilepsy 0.3

5. Causes of mental health Disorders Social, psychological and biological factors Violence and socio-economic pressures are major risk to mental health in A frica Human rights violation Physical ill-health Gender discrimination Rapid social change Social exclusion Unhealthy lifestyle etc. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION POVERTY

6. Government Governments play a very important role in mental health promotion Most African governments have policies seeking to promote mental since they noticed the prevalence of mental health disorders in their countries. Uganda Mental Health And Substance Abuse Division Of Ministry Of Health South African Mental Health Care Act of 2002 outlines procedures for management of people with mental disorders. Outlines the duties and responsibility of all citizens, health workers and police officials with regard to mental disorders. Zimbabwe National Mental Health Strategic Plan 2019-2023 Zimbabwe National Mental Policy 2019-2023

7. Key Components in both policy and plan: Zimbabwe Primary health care integration Integration of mental health services into primary health care. Mental health is included in pre-service and in-service training for general nurses and medical students also complete a mental health component in their training. Decentralization Decentralization of mental health services to the district level . Legislation Mental health act of 1996 and regulations of 1999

8. Education Ministry Of Primary And Secondary Education states they should be a guidance and counselling teacher in every school. Zimbabwe School Health Policy by Ministry of Education in partner with Ministry Of Health And Child Care ‘schools will strengthen the providence of guidance and counselling services to empower learners with life skills and to aid learners in distress through appropriate psycho-social support and referral to and through the Schools Psychological Services. Internal support and onward referral systems shall be periodically reviewed to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of service delivered’ (Ministry, 2018)

9. Role Of Civil Society & Non-health Sector Activities NGOs provide services related to mental health i.e. Hands of Hope and Tree of Life Trust These organizations provides community-based mental health and psychosocial support to people living with trauma in order to reconnect people with themselves, nature, family, and community They have access to remote areas otherwise inaccessible by health care workers Due to international funding NGOs may have adequate resources to promote mental health awareness campaigns etc. Most people have confidence in these organization and they usually deliver services for free.

10. Sociocultural Factors: Role Of Traditional Healers, Faith Healers And Teachers . More than 85% cases are handled by traditional healers and churches. Therefore these can not be ignored in mental health promotions. Research studies show that more than 75% of people who visit mental institutes visited faith healers first. Most churches have counselors who work closely with clinical psychologist or NGOs i.e. Hands of hope. The Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association plays a significant role in coordinating traditional healers who frequently manage psychosomatic and anxiety disorders. ‘Do not ignore them they might be more useful than you think’

11. Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) And UNICEF MSF help to set up the Harare Psychiatric Unit in Zimbabwe MSF train clinic nurses to care for mental health patients in most African countries including Zimbabwe where it had trained 188 clinical nurses as at 2017 MSF provide mental health services to people affected by the political conflicts e.g. In Mozambique, South Sudan UNICEF creates nurturing environments that provide the conditions for a child’s optimal development. They offer mental health and psychosocial support to children, adolescents, caregivers, families and wider community through a range of interventions that meet their complex needs

12. Friendship Bench Zimbabwe And Support Groups Friendship bench provides community based psychological intervention. Also carries community research to map way forward for mental health promotion Always ready to offer support Support groups are common in other countries e.g. South Africa where individuals come together to talk and help each other

13. Problems Faced In Promoting Mental Health In Africa Ignorance by most communities Stigma associated with mental health Poor economy and poverty Wars and political instability (e.g. South Sudan, current situation in Mozambique) Lack of funding – most are interested in funding mental health promotion in HIV+ patients only Lack of resources e.g. medications for mental disorders Biased allocation of funds by the government Outdated government polices (Mental Health Act of 1996 and regulations 1999 last reviewed in 1999)

14. ‘YOU ARE NOT ALONE’

15. R eferences World Health Organisation (2017). Zimbabwe WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health Situational Assessment. [online] Global Mental Health. Accessed on 29/04/21. Available at: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/mental-health/special-initiative/who-special-initiative-country-report---zimbabwe---2020.pdf?sfvrsn=2bb0ac14_4 Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (2018). Mental Health. [online] Accessed on 29/04/21. Available at: http://www.mohcc.gov.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=160&Itemid=716 Magaya N. (2020). Stigma and discrimination patients mental illness rampant mental illness rampant. [online] Accessed on 29/04/21. Available at: https://blogs.msf.org/bloggers/norman/zimbabwe-%E2%80%9Cstigma-and-discrimination-patients-mental-illness-rampant-community%E2%80%9D