MENTAL HEALTH Archives

Divorced and Single Persons Constitute Largest Number Of People Who Inject Drugs In Zimbabwe

March 1, 2023March 1, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

LONELINESS and mental health challenges associated with being single and not having a partner has led to an increase in drug and substance abuse among single and divorced persons in Zimbabwe, a report has gathered. By Michael Gwarisa According to 2022 data, Zimbabwe’s divorce rate was estimated to be at least 44.2 percent. However, as a coping strategy and to numb the pain associated with breakups, divorced and single people seem to have found solace in illicit drug and substance use. A Final Report on Zimbabwe situational analysis of drug…

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Eastern and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs

February 14, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

The Eastern and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs (ESACD), has been formally today (11/02/23) in Cape Town South Africa. By Michael Gwarisa The ESCAD is a high-level regional advocacy mechanism designed to find new ways of addressing a growing drug epidemic in the region that is affecting cities, towns and villages in every country and fueling a worsening health crisis. The ESACD currently comprises four commissioners’ including President Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of South Africa, Cassam Uteem, former President of Mauritius and Professor Quarraisha…

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Zimbabwe has highest Adolescents Suicide Ideation rate in Sub-Saharan Africa

February 11, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

DATA collected during a study on Suicide Ideation of Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa conducted by Regional Psychosocial Support Initiatives (REPSSI) shows that Zimbabwe has the highest rates of adolescents who think of committing suicide compared to other countries in the Sub-Saharan region. By Michael Gwarisa Suicidal ideation is when one thinks about killing him/herself. According to the report, a number of variables were associated with an increased risk for suicide ideation in the study. These include being older, being female, not being in school, being orphaned, not having a tap…

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Dominican Convent Expels Eight Girls For Drug Use

January 26, 2023January 26, 2023 Healthtimes

HARARE stationed Private Catholic girls high school, Dominican Convent has expelled eight students for partaking in illicit drugs and substances at a recent trip in Nyanga. By Staff Reporter In a letter written to parents by the Head of Upper School at Domincan Convent, Sr Kudzai Mutsure, she said they had exhausted all disciplinary channels and expulsion was in the best interest of both the school and the affected pupils. I write on a sad note to notify you that the 8 girls we had put on suspension pending investigations…

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‘Old Mental Health Act qualifies Zim for Special Initiative for Mental Health’

January 21, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

Zimbabwe is doing well compared to other countries by having a Mental Health Act which however dates back as far as 1996. By Kudakwashe Pembere Despite having legal guidelines to mental health issues, the country has had mental health strategies which seek to decentralise while augmenting to the existing mental health structures and this qualified Zimbabwe to be part of the 12 countries to work on a Special Initiative for Mental Health in the world. This was said by World Health Organisation Mental Health Technical Officer Dr Debra Machando on…

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Zim losing US$163 million to mental health disorders per year

December 21, 2022December 21, 2022 Kuda Pembere

Lack of support for mental health issues is costing Zimbabwe US$163 million annually, a leading psychologist said on Wednesday noting more money could be saved if funding or investment in interventions is availed by Government, private sector and technical funders. By Kudakwashe Pembere Speaking on the sidelines of the Abused Substances Diagnostics and Management (ASDM) launch, Dr Gwatirera Javangwe in the Department of Applied Psychology at the University of Zimbabwe told HealthTimes the country is losing a lot of money due to the huge burden of mental health issues. “Currently…

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Shortage of mental health medication in public hospitals

October 11, 2022December 7, 2022 Kuda Pembere

Persons with lived mental health experiences have bemoaned the shortage of their medication in public health institutions which is forcing them to cough up more money at private community pharmacies. By Kudakwashe Pembere Mrs Angela Mkorongo, a person with lived experiences who is also a mental health advocate said this on the sidelines of the World Mental Health Day Commemorations held on Monday. She said she ended up footing the bill for her friend who couldn’t access the medication at public mental health institutions. “Some of our colleagues are failing…

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Zim commemorates World Mental Health Day

October 11, 2022October 11, 2022 Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe on Monday commemorated the World Mental Health Day which was held under the theme “Making Mental Health a Global Priority”. By Kudakwashe Pembere This year’s celebrations saw presentations from experts, and what are now known as Persons with Lived Experiences formerly, Mental Health Users. Presentations were about Bipolar Disorder, Obbessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, trauma, and substance abuse, a menace in the nation. Officiating the commemorations, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said it was important to recognise the high demand of mental health services across the…

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