20 Oct 2026

Individuals who have experienced depression, substance use disorders and other mental health challenges possess valuable knowledge that cannot be replaced by professional training alone hence must be heard and involved in shaping mental health services.

 “When we design mental health awareness campaigns, we must consult people with lived experience. When we review services, we must seek their feedback. This is the practical meaning of our theme, real voices must lead to real change,” said Thrive Work Coaching and Counselling Clinic’s, Dr Risco Gabothobogwe.

He was speaking during the commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2026, Friday in Francistown, an event that was hosted by the Francistown City Council in collaboration with Lions Club District 412 A, Queen of Peace, World Health Organisation (WHO), civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders under the theme: Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.

Dr Gabothobogwe said the theme called for a shift from speaking about people with mental health conditions, to listening to them and ensuring their voices influenced decisions affecting their lives.

He said mental health was a basic human right and fundamental to overall well-being.

Globally, more than one billion people live with mental health conditions, Dr Gabothobogwe said and called for an end to stigma and discrimination and instead strengthening community-based mental health care, and sustained collaboration beyond commemorative events.

Jubilee Hospital psychiatrist, Dr Kelebogile Kelepile, painted a picture of the current mental health landscape and the challenges facing service delivery.

Dr Kelepile said Botswana had approximately 43 000 recorded cases of mental health conditions, with 53 per cent being males and 47 per cent females while globally one in seven people was estimated to live with a mental health condition, and more than 75 per cent of people in developing countries who need care did not receive it.

She said psychosocial stressors such as financial pressures, unemployment, rising cost of living, balancing family and work responsibilities, harmful gambling and prediction-market platforms continued to trigger mental health difficulties.

Dr Kelepile said Botswana was making efforts to strengthen services with gradual improvement in numbers of psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors, while the mental health legal framework was evolving following the repeal of the Mental Disorders Act of 1969 and approval of the Mental Health Act of 2023.

However, significant gaps remain including shortage of human resources, geographical inequalities and limited infrastructure.

Consequently, Dr Kelapile said Botswana had a single National Psychiatric Referral Hospital, S’brana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse, with capacity of about 300 beds, and there was growing concern of patient congestion as patient load increased.

She said the Jubilee Psychiatric Unit under Nyangabgwe Hospital, which catered for Francistown and peripheral clinics, had only 10 beds for males and seven beds for females, limiting its ability to house patients and often leading to congestion.

The four district hospitals with psychiatric units: Mahalapye, Sekgoma, Letsholathebe and Scottish Livingstone, play an important role but are also faced with damaged infrastructure and congestion, while at primary hospitals and clinics there is no designated psychiatric wards.

Dr Kelapile further highlighted limited availability of rehabilitation services and inpatient rehabilitation facilities, particularly for patients with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), as well as challenges with consistent availability of essential psychiatric medications.

She said at family level, mental health first aid could begin with three actions: talk, support and seek help.

Francistown Block 4 Customary Court president, Mr Gunny Moses, cited societal pressure, demands and expectations as triggers mental health problems.

Mr Moses pleaded with young people to desist from the use of strong substances which could cause mental issues, saying they should not resort to such despite encountering challenges.

However, he said for those who naturally have mental health issues, support from the community was vital, and deserved to be listened to, included and walked with through the journey.ENDS