Mental health unit not 'malkamp or groendakkies’

The head of Windhoek’s state mental health care unit, Dr Hilen Mekondjo Ndjaba, has urged the public to stop referring to the facility as “malkamp” or “groen dakkies”, warning that the derogatory terms reinforce stigma around mental health.

Ndjaba made the remarks on Tuesday during the handover of 75 mattresses worth N$200 000 donated by the Capricorn Foundation.

“I do not like those words, and I do not want us to continue calling this place ‘groen dakkies’ or ‘malkamp’. We all need to be mentally healthy to be able to function in society,” Ndjaba said.

She said mental health remains a neglected topic and called on communities and organisations to take greater responsibility in supporting mental health initiatives and facilities where assistance is needed.

Capricorn Group chief brand and corporate affairs officer Marlize Horn said the donation followed discussions with the facility’s management to identify its most pressing needs.

“We have been here a couple of times to meet with Dr Ndjaba and the management of this facility to really understand what the needs are. For us at the Capricorn Foundation, it is not just about writing a cheque but about making an impact and creating positive change,” Horn said.

-Patricia van Rooi