Mental Health Support in Zimbabwe
Around 300,000 Zimbabweans live with mental illness (ZIMNAMH), yet access to care remains extremely limited. Zimbabwe has no government-funded psychological treatment in primary care and only a handful of psychiatrists in the public system.
There are just nine civilian mental health institutions nationwide—many under-resourced and affected by shortages in medication, fuel, and staff due to ongoing emigration of health professionals.
Our Response
Mental illness is among the top five causes of disability worldwide, often linked with other conditions like HIV. To help address this critical gap, ZHTS supports mental health training for nurses as part of their continuous professional development—strengthening skills in both clinical care and leadership.
Our Impact
Since 2011, ZHTS has supported:
- The Friendship Bench in Mbare, Harare – delivering community-based mental health care through trained lay health workers
- Training for mental health nurses at Ingutsheni Hospital, Zimbabwe’s largest psychiatric facility
By investing in local training and partnerships, we’re helping build a stronger, more sustainable mental health system in Zimbabwe.