Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Kalumbi Shangula has commended initiatives which help create awareness around gender-based violence, suicide and rape, which contribute to the deterioration of mental health. Shangula emphasised Government’s support towards such initiatives, adding that the ministry is currently finalising the Mental Health Amendment Bill that will be tabled in the National Assembly. “The Bill aims to regulate mental health care in order to promote the dignity, autonomy, human rights and the optimal mental, social and physical wellbeing of persons with mental health conditions; the care and treatment and the procedures that must be followed, amongst others,” he explained. Shangula was speaking Saturday night in Swakopmund at the launch of the National Mental Health Care Namibia non-governmental organisation. He noted that although the ministry has a robust mental health programme, the magnitude of the problem outstrips the available infrastructure and human resources, thus welcomes and supports initiatives that help create public awareness and destigmatise mental health in Namibia, also offering counselling and a safe place for proper rehabilitation, care and support. (NAMPA)