30 Jul 2023

The stigma against mental health is undeniable and entrenched in our daily lifestyles, says Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti.

Responding to comments made by MPs on the Mental Health Bill of 2022, which has passed to the committee stage after being debated, Dr Dikoloti said laws such as the Marriage Act and the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act contained some demeaning words, hence they would be corrected after the bill matured.

The bill seeks to provide for mental healthcare, treatment and services as well as to promote and fulfil the rights of such persons during delivery of mental healthcare, treatment and services and for matters connected therewith.

Dr Dikoloti also said his ministry would raise awareness on mental health issues, adding that mental health was the next pandemic if not adequately addressed.

He noted that his ministry was faced with a shortage of mental healthcare professionals and that they were working alongside the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to address the shortfall.

Debating the bill, legislators decried the surge in mental health issues in the country. 

The MP for Mahalapye West, Mr David Tshere said there was a need for pycho-social support for mental health patients and care givers.

Mr Tshere also said there was a need for a law which provided for temporary insanity to be a defence before court for acquittal prayer.

Mr Taolo Lucas of Bobonong attributed mental health cases to social issues such as poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and divorce, among others.

He said there was a need to understand why the country was often cited among the unhappy nations in the world although it was doing well economically.

Dr Never Tshabang of Nkange said there was a need for more psychiatric and mental health professionals in the country.

He said mental health patients care givers should also be protected, saying there were instances where patients killed their care giver. 

Maun East MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile said the bill was more focused on the institutionalisation of patients rather than home-based care.

He said most care givers were not economically empowered and called for their empowerment.

Ngami legislator, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama said the bill should also address skilling caregivers so that they understood patients better. 

He said addressing poverty levels was key to addressing mental health issues.

Mr Aubrey Lesaso of Shoshong said most mental health patients were disadvantaged as they could not engage meaningfully in the economy. 

He, therefore, said the bill should device means on how they could be assisted to find employment or engage in economic activities. Ends