Mental health is a critical component of overall health and well-being, yet it is often overlooked and underfunded in many countries around the world, including Zimbabwe.

The government of Zimbabwe recognizes the importance of addressing mental health issues. On 20 April 2023, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO) hosted a dinner to disseminate the Mental Health Investment Case Report. The event brought together key stakeholders, including, UN Agencies, donors, and corporate organizations, to discuss the importance of investing in Zimbabwe’s mental health services.

“Investing in mental health is not only essential for addressing economic challenges but also for promoting overall health and well-being. Mental health is closely linked to physical health and addressing mental health issues can lead to better outcomes for other health conditions” said WHO Zimbabwe Country Representative Professor Jean-Marie Dangou during his opening remarks. “For example, treating depression can improve outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions such as HIV, TB, diabetes and heart disease,” he added.

Speaking during the event, Mrs Danai Charambeni bravely shared her personal experience living with Bipolar Affective Disorder, a Mental Health condition. She highlighted how essential raising awareness about mental health is crucial for reducing stigma and promoting understanding. “Many people with mental health conditions face discrimination and social isolation, which can make it difficult for them to access the care and support they need. By raising awareness and promoting understanding, we can help to reduce stigma and ensure that people with mental health conditions receive the care and support they need to lead fulfilling lives,” she said.

Dr Debra Machando, WHO Zimbabwe Mental Health Technical Officer provided an overview of Zimbabwe’s Special Initiative for Mental Health.  “Mental, neurological and substance use conditions pose a significant challenge in Zimbabwe, and conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, bipolar disorder, epilepsy and alcohol use disorder are major causes of morbidity and mortality,” she said.

Mental Health conditions present a double challenge to Zimbabwe: human suffering and an emerging public health burden with significant social and economic losses. These challenges include a financial burden on the individual with the condition, their families, as well as the health system. Challenges also encompass lost workforce productivity due to premature death, missed days of work (absenteeism) and impaired job performance (presenteeism).

WHO AFRO Regional Advisor for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Dr Florence Baingana provided an overview of Zimbabwe’s Investment Case for Mental Health. “By investing in mental health now, Zimbabwe could gain economic benefits of US$ 175 million in the next 10 years and US$ 689 million in the next 20 years. The productivity gains that Zimbabwe could make from investing in mental health interventions exceeds the cost of the intervention packages,” she said.

By acting now, Zimbabwe could reduce the burden of mental health conditions. The findings of the investment case demonstrate that investing in evidence-based, cost-effective mental health interventions would, from now until 2041, provide both health and economic benefits.

In her closing remarks, Dr Devora Kestel, WHO HQ Director for Mental Health and Substance Use praised Zimbabwe for the significant progress the country has made in strengthening mental health services. She emphasized on the importance of other UN agencies in supporting Zimbabwe efforts to address its mental health needs. “For instance FAO could play a significant role in controlling highly hazardous pesticides to help reduce the incidences of suicide in Zimbabwe,” she said.

The WHO’s recent dinner to disseminate the Mental Health Investment Case Report is an important step in encouraging more investment in this area and promoting understanding of the importance of investing in mental health today to have a huge return in the next 10 to 20 years.

Zimbabwe conducted its first ever Investment Case for Mental Health in 2021 and 2022. First, it provides an assessment of the current mental health situation in the country, including challenges and opportunities for development of the mental health system. Secondly, it presents economic evidence of the attributable, avertable burden associated with a number of leading mental, neurological and substance use conditions. Intervention costs, health gains and economic benefits were estimated for clinical interventions for six leading mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, psychosis, bipolar disorder, epilepsy and alcohol use disorder) and two population-based interventions (a pesticide ban and a universal school-based socio-emotional learning intervention). The Report concludes with recommendations for how to operationalize the findings of the Investment Case.