Transcript USERS’ INVOLVEMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH WORK. By Sylvester Katontoka. Mental Health Situation in Zambia. Zambia is one of the Countries in Sub-Sahara Africa exhibiting.

USERS’ INVOLVEMENT IN
MENTAL HEALTH WORK.
By Sylvester Katontoka.
2010
Mental Health Situation in Zambia.
Zambia is one of the Countries in
Sub-Sahara Africa exhibiting some
poorest health indicators and the
highest disease burden.
With an estimated population of 12.2
million people, about 200,000 people
suffer from severe mental health
problems and about 10% of the adult
population has mild to moderate
mental health problems.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN
ZAMBIA.
Mental health services in Zambia are
mainly rendered at the only hospital
situated in the Capital City.
The Hospital has close to 220 beds.
According to the In-Patient data from the
hospital the major illnesses being treated
are:
Schizophrenia (57%)
Mental and Behaviour Disorders due to
Substance Abuse (27%)
Mood Disorders (12%)
Others Cases (4%)
TYPE OF SERVICES.
Mainly Pharmacologic and Nursing care as
prescribed by Clinical Psychiatric Officers, Medical
Doctors or Psychiatrists.
Unfortunately, about 70 – 80% of persons with
mental health problems in Zambia are consulting
traditional health practitioners before seeking help
from conventional health practitioners.
This is because of the traditional and religious
explanation of mental illness.
Also the centralized mental health system in place.
To address the situation, Government plans to
establish institutional mechanisms for
collaboration between traditional and conventional
health practitioners in mental health services.
MENTAL HEALTH USERS
NETWORK OF ZAMBIA
(MHUNZA).
Duly registered on 02nd January,2003.
Formed to address the wide range of
human rights violations persons with
mental health problems experience in
Mental Hospitals and in the Community.
VISION
Creating a society free from stigma
and discrimination against persons
with mental disabilities.
MISSION
To promote, protect and ensure the
full and equal enjoyment of all human
rights and fundamental freedoms by
all persons with mental health
problems, and to promote respect for
their inherent dignity.
MAJOR ROLES.
Identify Needs and Priorities of persons with
mental health problems.
Participate in Planning, Implementation and
Evaluation of Services concerning the lives of
persons with mental health problems.
Contribute to Public awareness.
Advocate for change.
Also an instrument for Self-Help programmes
providing and promoting opportunities for the
development of skills.
Our desire is to attain human freedom that
governments and communities continue to ignore.
MHUNZA STRUCTURE
Has a Board comprising persons with
mental health problems, family
members and mental health workers.
They are responsible for policy
formulation .
Has a secretariat which implements
the organization policies.
MEMBERSHIP.
MHUNZA draws its membership from
persons who have a mental health
diagnosis.
Persons with mental health problems are
presented to a mental health hospital
either by relatives or friends were the
medical officers will make a diagnosis and
treat them accordingly.
Thereafter, patients presents themselves
at the Out-Patients for reviews every
month.
MHUNZA’s STARTEGY.
Partnerships with the Government
and Zambia National AIDS Network
(ZNAN).
ZNAN has assisted MHUNZA develop
a strategic plan and is financing the
plan until December 2010.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION.
Community Mobilization and
Sensitization- To educate the general
population on mental health
problems, availability of treatment and
recovery form mental illness.
Human Rights and Legal Reforms –
Lobby and Advocate of the repealing
of the mental disorders Act of 1951
which promotes human rights
violation.
HIV and AIDS- Minimization of HIV
infection of persons with mental
health problems as they are a risk
group. Also support and care for
persons living with HIV/AIDS and
have developed mental health
problems.
ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY
MHUNZA.
Baseline survey in Lusaka – to
provide an indication of the
prevalence of HIV/AIDS among
persons with mental health problems.
Community Mobilization and
Sensitization- Have sensitized the
community Leaders on mental health
issues through holding of seminars in
20 compounds in Lusaka and
distribution of IEC Materials.
Home Visits – conducted home visits to 74
members in 37 compounds of Lusaka
districts. The most important findings were
that the members are poor and
unemployed.
Entrepreneurship Workshops – Holds
workshops called “START YOUR
BUSINESS” as a way of fighting
poverty among members. Small
Grants in kind are given to members.
A seminar with Parliamentarians was
help to sensitize them on the GAPS in
the old law and the need for a new
mental health law with a smiling face.
Radio and Television programmes on
the national broadcaster discussing
mental health and human rights.
CHALLENGES.
-
Within the Organization – Lack of
capacity in:
Communication skills.
Advocacy skills.
Planning Skills.
Research Skills.
Monitoring and Evaluation.
Resource Mobilization.
CHALLENGES (continued)
Mental disorders Act of 1951.
HIV/AIDS.
Lack of understanding of mental
health issues by the community.
Lack of investment in mental health
(Financially and Materially) to meet
the NEEDS of persons with mental
health problems.
Lack of Local, Regional and
International Cooperation to support
capacity building, exchange and
sharing of information, experiences
and best practices.
FUTURE PLANS.
More awareness campaigns.
Organize and implement rehabilitation
services for persons with mental
health problems and their families.
Establish cooperation with local,
regional and international
organizations to support exchange of
ideas and programmes.