Tag: anxiety

The Church’s Role In Addressing Mental Health Challenges Amongst Believers

Chaplain Simbarashe Chenjerai

By Chaplain Simbarashe Chenjerai The world is facing a plethora of challenges such wars, famines, unemployment, droughts, cyclones among other ills. This has resulted in a number of public health challenges including mental health related woes. Over the years, there has been an increase in the incidence of drug and substance abuse, depression, anxiety among other mental health challenges. It is against this background that this article seeks to explore the role of the Church in addressing the growing mental health scourge. Christians and believers are not immune to mental…

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Exploring Depression and Mental Health In The Arts Sector

Michael Gwarisa

Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, please contact The Friendship Bench on +263 78 484 5294, S.A.L.T Africa, +263 773 107 7781, For Youths By Youths, Harare & Mash West 263775462468 +263773238941, Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre +263273790238 HAVE you ever come across artwork or literature of the sad clown? The sad clown is one of the most well-known paintings out there and is a paradox that tries to bring out the hidden emotional trauma and sadness that is associated with…

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COVID-19 Triggers Mental Health Disorders In Zim Frontline Doctors

Michael Gwarisa

THE absence of adequate psychosocial support services coupled with discrimination from workmates and society especially for doctors who were working in the COVID-19 frontline exposed medical doctors to numerous mental health challenges at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa The report was a qualitative study to explore the experiences of medical practitioners responding to COVID-19 in Zimbabwe. Presenting findings from the Health Awareness Report study, Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) Secretary General, Dr Norman Matara said the medical sector was not spared from the…

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Working in the UK Health Sector an Emotional Roller-coaster For Migrant Nurses

Michael Gwarisa

YOU might have read or heard about a Zimbabwean nurse who recently relocated to the United Kingdom (UK) only to die two months into her stay in the Diaspora. According preliminary reports from her close relatives and friends, Divine Mupoperi (30) died from suspected seizures she might have experienced in her sleep. She survived by three children, a 12 year old and twins who are 16 months old. May her dear Soul Rest in Eternal Peace. By Michael Gwarisa Even though this publication is not yet privy to Divine’s postmortem…

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Coping with Retrenchment; A Mental Health Perspective

Michael Gwarisa

RETRENCHMENTS in Zimbabwe are expected to hit record numbers as a result of economic disruption from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to disrupt the global economy, many employers worldwide are left with no choice but to reduce staff in order to cut costs and survive.  By Dr Kudakwashe C Muchena Zimbabwe is not immune to this as is already seen in the Hospitality and Entertainment industries. In response to this predicted wave of retrenchments, this article seeks to give a mental health…

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BREAKING: Zim Coronavirus Suspect Recovering From Mental Health Issues

Healthtimes

THE Zimbabwean woman suspected testing negative of coronavirus is convalescing from a mental health disorder at Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital following her readmission at the facility. By Kudakwashe Pembere The City of Harare that isolated and facilitated tests on the patient indicated the patient had tested negative 3 times. The first test was done in China, the second in Zimbabwe and the third was done in South Africa. In an interview with Harare City Health Director Dr Prosper Chonzi, he said the woman was recovering from a mental episode. Her…

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Friendship Bench Helps 100 000 People With Depression and Anxiety

Healthtimes

DEMAND for psychotherapeutic services has gone up in Zimbabwe as over 100 000 people suffering from depression and anxiety have accessed the Friendship Bench Services. By Kudakwashe Pembere Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider. Friendship Bench is an evidence-based intervention developed in Zimbabwe to bridge the mental health treatment gap. In Zimbabwe, there are about 15 psychiatrists in government health facilities meaning one psychiatrist tends to about a million people. “To date I can say…

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