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Ruth Chipayi Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe recorded 7 763 new mental health cases last year, pushing the number of people suffering from mental health disorders to 91 390, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday.

Speaking at the official launch of the Mental Health Strategy 2014-2018 in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said the abuse of alcohol and use of illicit drugs is the major contributing factor.

“There were 86 671 registered mentally ill patients, 7 763 new mentally ill patients seen in our hospitals from January to October 2014 giving a total workload of 91 390,” he said.

In Zimbabwe, the minister said, factors that influenced the increase in mental illness included the harsh economic situation, unemployment, poverty, change in disease pattern, particularly the HIV and AIDS pandemic and natural disasters, leading to post traumatic stress disorder.

“The breakdown of family structures and values has been reported as a contributing factor leading to abuse of use of illicit drugs,” he said.

Worldwide, more than 450 million people suffer from mental or neurological disorders or from psychosocial problems such as those related to alcohol and drug abuse, according to the 2011 WHO Mental Health Atlas.

Dr Parirenyatwa said mental health issues have received little consideration in terms of programmes for their care and support.

“Beyond the suffering and the absence of care lie the frontiers of stigma, shame, exclusion and more often than we care to know, death,” he said.

“The ministry strives to ensure provision of equitable and quality mental health services in the country since Mental Health has become priority in the global health agenda.”

Dr Parirenyatwa said there is need to look at prevention measures of mental disorders by addressing issues of drugs abuse.

The mental health strategy seeks to guide the implementation of the 2004 Mental Health Policy.

The strategic plan gives a guide on staffing ,human resources development and training, infrastructure and research, treatment and rehabilitation among other issues.

It aims to improve the quality of life for those living with mental health challenges in the country.