The first ever private mental health clinic has opened its doors at Rundu in the Kavango East region.

The owner, Berthiliah Simbaranda-Vistor, says cases of mental health are on the increase, hence the need for psychological care.

A social worker by training, Simbaranda-Vistor says the escalating gender-based violence and suicide, among other facts, necessitated the opening of such facilities.

She says the number of people visiting the clinic operating under the company Care Unit Trading Services is steadily increasing.

Simbaranda-Vistor said that there are still big misconceptions around mental health treatment, which is often construed as only relevant to the mentally incapacitated.

The clinic provides patients an opportunity to interact with social workers in their vernacular for better communication.