Staff Reporter
THE Minister of Health, Dr Esperance Luvindao, highlighted that the country’s mental health crisis is being exacerbated by a lack of psychiatric facilities, emphasising that over 500 suicides occurred during the 2023–2024 financial year.
“We have done much, but much more still needs to be done. The suicide statistics are alarming — 542 deaths were reported in the 2023–2024 fiscal year alone. This is not just a health issue; it’s a national crisis,” the Minister said.
Luvindao made these remarks during a high-level engagement on mental health, held in commemoration of Mental Health Awareness Month under the theme “Turning Awareness into Action.” The goal of the event was to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and build a united front in addressing the mental health crisis affecting Namibians across the country.
In addition to addressing the shortage of psychiatric facilities, the Minister also called for an urgent review of existing mental health legislation to ensure that laws remain responsive, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of the people they are meant to serve.
“Let us not wait for laws to become obsolete. Mental health policies must evolve with society. We must be bold enough to champion stigma reduction,” she said.
Luvindao also highlighted misinformation as another barrier to prioritising mental wellness in the country and urged the public not only to educate themselves on these matters, but also to adopt a spirit of compassion and responsibility.
“Education is important. There is too little information and too much misinformation. This is where stigma begins, and this is what we must urgently address,” she added.
