THE University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has opened a Psychological Sciences and Training Clinic at the institution in what authorities say is a step towards addressing the critical shortage of psychiatrists in the country.
Speaking at the official opening of the Research, Innovation and Industrialisation Week on Wednesday, Higher and Tertiary Education minister Frederick Shava said mental health was “an emerging and serious pandemic” in the country and having the facility was timely.
“I, therefore, challenge the researchers in social and behavioural sciences to come up with different and inclusive models of running a mental health clinic,” he said.
“This should include, for example, models for faith so that it runs and is adequately maintained. It is often those that we need services may not be able to afford.”
The impact of social and economic hardships along with neglected healthcare system has made the Zimbabwe ripe for rising cases of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, domestic violence and suicide.
The country’s mental health institutions are too few with existing ones inadequately resourced to deal with the situation, which has spread across the country.
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Zimbabwe has less than 20 psychiatrists, and according to the World Health Organisation, the country has one of the highest suicide rates in Africa.
UZ director for health services, Enock Mayida said they would work in partnership with the Psychology Department to train counsellors, primary care counsellors as well as psychologists.
“The Psychology Clinic has been opened to enhance Psychological therapy for students, staff, retirees, dependents and the community at large,” Mayida said.
The Research Innovation and Industrialisation Week is running under the theme Promoting Innovation Ecosystems to Advance Value Chains for Zimbabwe’s Industrialisation.
It ends today.