A clinical psychologist at the Swakopmund District Hospital has invited all local health practitioners and stakeholders to attend the first-ever virtual Mental Health Conference.

With lawmakers debating the Mental Health Bill, clinical psychologist Gezina Gomachas says the conference is a timely initiative aimed at curbing the rising numbers of suicides and mental illnesses.

Statistics by the Namibian Police indicate that 124 people died by suicide between January and March this year; 108 of them were men. 

Between 2023 and 2024, police recorded 542 suicide cases nationwide.

"This conference is slated for the 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th, and 31st of October. We have done the usual – awareness campaigns, community engagements, outreaches, etc. – but something is just not working for us at the moment. We really need to sit, listen to these discussions, and learn from others."

Gomachas emphasised that the conference provides a platform for local healthcare practitioners to treat psychological problems as catastrophes and emergencies.

"Topics we'll be covering include childcare and protection, human rights crises for persons who identify as LGBTQIA+, and the psycho-legal and medical dimensions of mental healthcare in Namibia. We will also go through the new Mental Health Bill with representatives from the ministry, and obviously, the highlight of the discussions – given this year's suicide statistics – will be men's mental health."

The psychologist added that the conference will equip health practitioners and stakeholders with ways to integrate employee wellness into institutional systems and policies.

"We don't really have strong measures in place for employee wellness. It's something new, and we'll address it at the conference with tangible ways on how employee wellness or employee assistance programmes can be implemented."

Those interested can contact the Swakopmund District Hospital for free registration or visit the hospital's social media pages for the link.