COVID-19 and Community family mental health

A growing number of Zimbabweans are increasingly seeking mental health services as they abandon traditional myths and beliefs about it. But the rising demand has strained a critically underfunded and understaffed area of the health care system that has been further weakened by more than two years of the coronavirus pandemic. The WHO estimates that in 2020, there were 18 psychiatrists — 94% of whom worked in Harare — six psychologists and 917 psychiatric nurses serving a country with a population of 15 million at the time (Chimbwanda, 2022).

The Society for Pre and Post Natal Services Vocational Training Institute registered as a Vocational Training Institute in terms of the Manpower Planning and Developments Act (Chapter 28:02) offers an Accredited Level 5 Diploma in Systemic Family Therapy and Developmental Counselling in Maternal, Paternal and Child Mental Health. SPANS training program exists to provide an effective clinical practice of family therapy, psychological support, research, and education. This training program bridges the gap between industry needs and shortages, affording students much-needed experience in the form of an attachment program, which provides hands on training in Zimbabwe’s leading public hospitals and health centers. Students nearing the completion of the program are assigned to government hospitals and health centers to offer family therapy and psychological support services under the supervision of experienced healthcare professionals with over 10 years’ experience in their respective fields. A total of 20 students were assessed for the purposes of this evaluation report. The opinions of supervising health practitioners were also sought to help with student performance evaluations, to assess competency of the students, conduct, and aid in their professional development.

• SPANS_Covid19_Community_Family_Mental_Health_Report_September_2023.pdf (PDF)