Kavango East Region is calling for stronger mental health support as it joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Mental Health Day.
This year's commemoration is held under the theme "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change", highlighting the importance of listening to people living with mental health conditions.
Kavango East Governor Hamunyera Hambyuka is urging communities to stop treating mental illness as a hidden crisis and recognise mental health as an essential part of overall well-being.
Speaking at the commemoration, Hambyuka called for collective action to ensure that people experiencing mental health challenges receive the care, respect and support they deserve.
"The scale of the challenge in the Kavango East Region is concerning. Between April 2025 and March 2026, our health facilities recorded approximately 18,730 people presenting with mental health conditions, with nearly 2,000 requiring admission. These figures highlight the need to strengthen mental health services, improve access to care and address the barriers that prevent people from seeking help."
He says the figures highlight the need to strengthen mental health services, improve access to care and address barriers that prevent people from seeking help.
Hambyuka says this year's theme calls for more than awareness, urging authorities to ensure that the experiences of people living with mental health conditions inform policies and service delivery.
He adds that stigma continues to discourage people from seeking assistance, leaving many to suffer in silence and exposing them to discrimination and social exclusion.
He further emphasised the need to extend support beyond hospitals to homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
Rundu Mayor Andreas Jikerwa says mental health policies and services must be shaped with the input of people with lived experience.
"Their experiences provide valuable insight into the realities faced by individuals and families, including barriers to accessing appropriate care, stigma, discrimination, social exclusion and the need for stronger support systems.
As local government, we recognise that mental health is not solely a health-sector matter. It is also a community development, social welfare and human dignity issue."
World Mental Health Day is observed annually on 10 October to promote mental well-being, combat stigma and advocate for accessible, quality mental health services.