Vice President Lucia Witbooi has called for urgent action to strengthen mental health services in Namibia, warning that legislation alone will not deliver meaningful change without effective implementation.
Speaking at the commemoration of World Mental Health Day, Witbooi welcomed the adoption of the Mental Health Bill by the National Assembly in June 2026 and the National Council in August, paving the way for its enactment as the Mental Health Act of 2026.
The legislation seeks to protect the rights and dignity of people receiving mental health care and expand decentralised, community-based services in line with the Sixth National Development Plan. However, Witbooi emphasised that the law must be backed by practical action to ensure that people across the country can access appropriate and affordable treatment.
Windhoek Central Hospital houses Namibia’s largest specialised mental health unit, with 206 beds for civil and forensic psychiatric patients. Regional mental health units also operate at Oshakati and Rundu Intermediate Hospitals, as well as Swakopmund and Katima Mulilo district hospitals.
Despite these services, shortages of clinical psychologists and occupational therapists at regional facilities mean that complex cases must be referred to Windhoek. Witbooi said the Ministry of Health and Social Services was working to address the staffing gaps.
She also called for greater investment in parks, playgrounds and pathways to promote physical activity and mental well-being, while urging employers to create supportive workplaces where employees can discuss mental health challenges and seek assistance without fear of stigma or discrimination.
Witbooi stressed that improving mental health was a collective responsibility involving government, employers, schools, religious organisations and communities.
She urged stakeholders to ensure that the annual commemoration translated into lasting action, allowing people affected by mental health conditions to access support and live with dignity. “Let us carry the momentum of this day forward into every day of the year. Once again, let us turn listening into action,” she said.
By Rudi Bowe
