EDITORIAL: Mental healthcare cannot wait until 2037

The health ministry's disclosure that Namibia recorded 91 544 mental health cases and 11 489 admissions during the 2024/25 financial year should serve as a warning that mental healthcare can no longer remain on the margins of national priorities.Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao's commitment to expanding specialised mental health services by 2037 is welcome, but the timeline raises an uncomfortable question about what happens to thousands of Namibians who need treatment today.Mental illness does not wait for government budgets, infrastructure development or the recruitment of specialists. Families dealing with depression, trauma and other psychiatric conditions need accessible professional assistance before their circumstances deteriorate.The shortage of specialised facilities is particularly concerning for rural communities, where distance, transport costs and limited healthcare resources already make treatment difficult.Government must prioritise mental healthcare within existing hospitals and clinics while pursuing longer-term infrastructure commitments. Training healthcare workers, strengthening referral systems and expanding counselling services should not depend on new facilities.Communities must also abandon the stigma that discourages people from seeking assistance.Mental healthcare is not a luxury to be delivered when circumstances permit. It is an essential public service Namibians need now.

EDITORIAL: Mental healthcare cannot wait until 2037

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-16

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EDITORIAL: Mental healthcare cannot wait until 2037

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-16

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