Category: MENTAL HEALTH

Chipangura addresses mental health issues in her 13th book

Healthtimes

Renowned author and publisher Faith Mudiwa Chipangura, has released a captivating exploration of mental health challenges book entitled “Coming Clean.” By Ntokozo Gudu The book was published by Phoenix Publishing and to date has already received overwhelming responses. ‘Coming Clean’ was launched by Chipangura on her social media platforms. In an interview with HealthTimes, Chipangura said the book addresses sensitive topics with compassion and empathy hence destigmatizing mental health, The book plays a crucial role in destigmatizing conversations around mental health,it encourages open dialogue, helping to create a society that…

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“Practice responsible journalism on people who use drugs”

Healthtimes

AS Zimbabwe is seized with a drug and substance abuse  epidemic mainly among among the youthful population, journalists have been advised to use responsible language that does not discriminate or endanger the lives of people using drugs. By Nthokozo Gudu This was said by various stakeholders who attended  a journalists at a training on capacity building on harm reduction and accurate reporting on drug use held in Harare recently and hosted by Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN). ZCLDN Director, Mr Wilson Box said the language used on reporting…

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House of Arts Association Uses Art To Tackle Mental Health Issues in Youths

Healthtimes

A Youth-led community movement, House Of Arts Association has created a platform to raise awareness and combat mental health issues through art. By Nthokozo Gudu The organization believes that through art, the highest expression of self, an individual can rediscover themselves, free themselves, hence creating a world that heals everyone in any way possible, in the process spreading awareness on mental health to young people as it helps them build positive social, emotional,intellectual and communication skills. Recently House of Arts Association(HAA) in collaboration with the U.S Embassy, screened a documentary…

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Vuzu sex parties invade Harare

Kuda Pembere

A famous Bulawayo frenzy of wild sex parties monikered ‘vuzu’ parties, has now entered Harare’s Hatfield suburb, HealthTimes has learned. By Kudakwashe Pembere Vuzu parties are indoor gatherings common in Bulawayo mostly held by teenagers where they engage in beer, and drug binges as well as illicit unprotected sex. This was revealed in an interview by a Hatfield resident Tapiwa Chandavengerwa, a recovered addict who is working with some organisations in the reduction of drug and substance abuse. Chandavengerwa said there is a house in Hatfield which hosts these vuzu…

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Rehabilitation dilemma for Zim’s poor Drug and Substance Addicts

Michael Gwarisa

Zimbabwe is struggling to offer proper drug abuse rehabilitation services with majority of patients currently being admitted in psychiatric units in public health institutions which in most cases, are ill equipped to provide drug abuse rehabilitation services. By Michael Gwarisa In 2022, data from the Ministry of Health and Child Care indicated that 75 percent to 85 percent of bed occupancy in mental health institutions was due to substance use. Information gathered by this publication recently reveals that public health facilities are struggling to deal with the swelling numbers of…

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WHO preps 44 Zim government officials to deal with SA ZEP returnees’ mental health

Kuda Pembere

FORTY-four government officials received mental health and psychosocial support training from the World Health Organization ahead of the return of about 180 000 returnees from South Africa who had Zimbabwe Exemption Permits. By Kudakwashe Pembere With the deadline for the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits expiry looming, mental health disorders such as depression and even drug and substance abuse among others are anticipated. Zimbabweans reportedly make up South Africa’s largest group of immigrants, with about 800,000 living in the country, many for decades but not all of them legally and doing low…

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An uptown girl’s battle with drug and substance use

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere DRUG and substance abuse in Zimbabwe is usually synonymous with the ghetto streets. A dirty, shabby, red eyed male figure is probably the first picture one envisions when they think of drug users and abusers. Well, here is a Newsflash, the drug crisis is equally endemic and deep rooted in uptown residential areas such as Borrowadale Brooke, Chisipite, Umwinsdale and others just as is the case with Ghettos like Mabvuku, Mbare, Fio, Kuwadzana, Mufakose and others. It also knows no gender as more and more girls are…

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Gay People are sick in the head says Museveni

Healthtimes

Uganda Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka recently informed President Yoweri Museveni that the Anti-Homsexuality bill if passed by Parliament in its current form criminalizes even those who voluntarily come out to have practiced homosexuality and need to be helped. By Staff Reporter The development resulted in President Museveni returning the controversial bill to parliament for fine-tuning citing that it was silent on psychologically disoriented persons and how it intends to deal with those who voluntarily come out as gay and how they will be helped to access mental rehabilitation services. Once…

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Drug and Alcohol Abuse Criminal Offenses Spike in Zimbabwe

Kuda Pembere

About 6 700 cases were recorded by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in connection alcohol, drug and substance abuse last year. By Kudakwashe Pembere The reports were recorded in the last quarter of 2022 were compiled by the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (Zimstat) in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The information contained here is based on data collected from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Crime Report and Disposal System,” said Zimstat director general Mr Taguma Mahonde presenting the 2022 fourth quarter crime statistics report. Zimstat said 5 240 persons…

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Divorced and Single Persons Constitute Largest Number Of People Who Inject Drugs In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

LONELINESS and mental health challenges associated with being single and not having a partner has led to an increase in drug and substance abuse among single and divorced persons in Zimbabwe, a report has gathered. By Michael Gwarisa According to 2022 data, Zimbabwe’s divorce rate was estimated to be at least 44.2 percent. However, as a coping strategy and to numb the pain associated with breakups, divorced and single people seem to have found solace in illicit drug and substance use. A Final Report on Zimbabwe situational analysis of drug…

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