91 500 mental health cases in 2025
Joe-Cintha Garises MARIENTAL – Namibia recorded 91 544 new mental health cases during the 2024/25 financial year, with 11 489 patients admitted for treatment. Chief health programme officer in the Ministry of Health and Social Services Magdalena Didalelwa revealed this while giving an overview of the country’s mental health situation during the Hardap Regional School... The post 91 500 mental health cases in 2025 appeared first on New Era .
MARIENTAL – Namibia recorded 91 544 new mental health cases during the 2024/25 financial year, with 11 489 patients admitted for treatment.
Chief health programme officer in the Ministry of Health and Social Services Magdalena Didalelwa revealed this while giving an overview of the country’s mental health situation during the Hardap Regional School Health Task Force training in Mariental on Tuesday.
She noted that 123 people with mental health conditions died during the same period. She added that 365 attempted suicides were recorded in the Ohangwena region between April 2024 and June 2025. “Police statistics have previously shown high numbers of suicide cases among men,” she said.
Citing more recent statistics from police reports, Didalelwa said 12 suicide cases were reported between 19 and 30 July 2026. She cautioned that the statistics represent only a fraction of the actual mental health burden, as many cases remain undiagnosed due to limited awareness and persistent stigma.
Didalelwa stated that stigma and discrimination, family distress, social ills, co-existing physical and mental health conditions and the impact on vulnerable groups were identified as key challenges.
“The economic impact includes loss of productivity, increased healthcare costs and disability claims,” she added.
Didalelwa said schools face challenges involving learner behaviour, substance use and mental illness.
Additionally, teachers often lack skills to identify and manage mental health challenges.
She stressed the need for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration through school health structures to promote early identification, referral and support for learners experiencing mental health challenges.
Currently, mental health services are provided at only two specialised facilities in the country, namely the Mental Health Unit at Windhoek Central Hospital and Ward 16 at the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital.
There are only six psychiatrists, eight psychologists and 21 nurses with specialised mental health training in Namibia’s public health service. Meanwhile, the Mental Health Bill, currently before the National Council, seeks to prioritise human rights, community care and rehabilitation. Didalelwa also noted that draft regulations, prepared in 2021, are awaiting finalisation and that the Mental Health Policy has been revised, with an implementation plan drafted.
The National Mental Health Programme falls under the Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Division within the Primary Health Care Directorate and is responsible for policy formulation, strategic planning, technical support, human resource training, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of mental health activities.
The programme focuses on awareness-raising, human-capacity building and strengthening leadership and governance.
-Nampa
