By Paul Nyathi

Statistics released by the Zimbabwe National Association for Mental Health indicate that a significant number of Zimbabweans are being affected by mental illnesses due to the harsh economic conditions they are exposed to in the country.

According to Ignatious Murambidzi the head of the Association, cases of mental illnesses are on the rise in the country as more people fail to adapt to the harsh economic conditions.

The mental health watchdog said that most Zimbabweans especially of a middle age are losing their senses as a result of the harsh economic environment.

The young people are said to be heavily depressed which amongst other things forces them to resort to taking highly toxic drugs and alcohol in a bid to drown their economic sorrows resulting in them having mental illnesses.

“Cases of mental illness are on the rise in the country and this is basically due to the harsh economic environment in the country,” said Murambidzi.

“Due to lack of employment most young people resort to drugs and alcohol that end up exposing them to mental illnesses,” he added.

Murambidzi further indicated that the country is faced with a serious shortage of mental health doctors which makes the situation at the only four mental health institutions in the country very dire.

“There are only about fifteen mental health doctors in the country,” he said.

The institution indicated that there is also a serious shortage of drugs and medicines needed for the patients due to lack of foreign currency to purchase the drugs.

The World Health Organisation indicated in 2016 that at least One and a half million Zimbabweans are suffering from mental illnesses.