Mental Health Services in Zimbabwe – a case of Zimbabwe National Association of Mental Health

Abstract

With limited resources available for healthcare in Zimbabwe, occupational therapists and mental health personnel work to provide a much needed community oriented mental health service. Community facilities and multidisciplinary mental health teams offered by the Zimbabwe National Association of Mental Health (ZIMNAMH) attempt to address the ongoing needs of the population to deal with deinstitutionalization, congestion of the health institutions and prisons, occupational alienation and deprivation, community integration and empowerment of people with mental health problems. This case study presents a story of a client who successful reintegrated through a community-based halfway house into the rural community in which the ZIMNAMH model takes advantage of the rich family support systems in the rural community. The role of the occupational therapists is elaborated.

Keywords:

• Mental health
• occupation
• occupational therapy
• community practice
• rehabilitation.