• Mining sector endures worst recessionMay 27, 2025
    Mining shows zero confidence on better business conditions Weaker global demand of rough diamonds trouble the sector Other sectors optimistic about improved conditions in 2025   BAKANG TIRO RelatedPosts Mining sector endures worst recession Who is the PSP PROTECTING?… Read more: Mining sector endures worst recession
  • Who is the PSP PROTECTING?May 27, 2025
    “She is protecting those facing corruption probe, hence removing DCEC intelligence head”- claim The DCEC recently confirmed that it was investigating some senior govt officials   DITIRO MOTLHABANE RelatedPosts Mining sector endures worst recession Who is the PSP PROTECTING?… Read more: Who is the PSP PROTECTING?
  • TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding SolutionsMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance MangerMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge BusinessMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
  • Login
  • Register
Sunday, June 1, 2025
-6 °c
Columbus
6 ° Sat
13 ° Sun
15 ° Mon
16 ° Tue
The Patriot On Sunday
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
Cart / $0.00

No products in the cart.

  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
The Patriot On Sunday
No Result
View All Result
Home Analysis & Opinions

BONELA URGES FIRMING UP OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH IN LIGHT OF COVID -19

patriot by patriot
December 13, 2020
in Analysis & Opinions
240
0
491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
ShareShareShare

The few recorded number and outline of cases of people who committed suicide in Botswana during the lockdown period alone as reported by the media and verified by Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) partners, speaks volumes about the severity of COVID-19, its effects, and the adverse impact on the mental wellbeing of the population.

In fact, it is understandable that fear, worry and stress are considered normal responses to perceived or real threats and apparent uncertainty. In any case, this is what seems to be obtaining universally as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the globe inducing elevated rates of stress and anxiety.

RelatedPosts

BCP should not reject forming a coalition

The sham that was BNFWL elective congress

Batswana (66%) favour direct election of President

Add to this, the fear of contracting the virus and the daily spectacle of what is happening in countries that have been worst hit by the pandemic, proliferation of scary data and fake news about the origins of the virus on the internet and social media platforms. Moreover; there is trepidation owing to uncertainty regarding the remaining period of the State of Emergency still hovering over the heads and minds of the population with the possibility of lockdowns being reinstated.

The consequent disruption to normal life activities and routine or livelihoods, heightened levels of loneliness, depression, harmful alcohol and drug abuse as well as suicidal reactions and behavior are expected to continue and linger on for some time. This is attributable to the present outlook of the virus around the world and unclear state of progress in identifying sustainable interventions geared at ending the pandemic.

BONELA is therefore concerned that although these adversities have no regard for social or economic status, indications and empirical evidence points to sustained impact on the most at risk members of the population. These being people with mental disorders, LGBTIs, people with underlying conditions, young people and children as well as people with disabilities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes mental health as a state of wellbeing, in which an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life and can function productively and are able to contribute in a meaningful way to their communities.

As an organization that advocates for universal access to health and making health a reality for all in Botswana, BONELA believes that indeed mental health is fundamental to people’s collective and individual ability as humans to apply themselves and think, emote and interact with each other as well as live happily and profitably.

BONELA submits that whilst everyone is susceptible to the impacts of the stressful implications of the restrictive measures in place subject to the multiple social, psychological and biological factors, more can be done in terms of mental health interventions to focus on people who are more deserving; particularly, people with existing mental disorders including depression, the elderly, children, LGBTIs, people with disabilities and migrants.

Some of the specific ways in which an appropriate environment can be created for the promotion of good mental health may include;

· Following up on medical treatment for people with existing mental disorders

· Initiating psycho-social support centers for people in need of counselling and coping skills and for attending to suicide related concerns including a toll free counselling service

· Community based mental health support groups and programmes targeting vulnerable groups such as young people and children

BONELA therefore urges all stakeholders, government, private sector and Non- Governmental Organisations to mainstream mental health into their programmes and services, and to ensure access to mental health services for all regardless of health and socio-economic status.

To this end; BONELA has safe spaces in Gaborone, Francistown, Palapye, Tutume and Letlhakane where mental health services, including psychosocial support are provided.

Related

Tags: bonela

Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now.

Unsubscribe
Previous Post

Fuel crisis ordeal

Next Post

Civil Society cries to be heard

Related Posts

BCP should not reject forming a coalition
Analysis & Opinions

BCP should not reject forming a coalition

May 26, 2025
The sham that was BNFWL elective congress
Analysis & Opinions

The sham that was BNFWL elective congress

May 13, 2025
Batswana (66%) favour direct election of President
Analysis & Opinions

Batswana (66%) favour direct election of President

May 5, 2025
Khama in crosshairs of BCL inquiry
Analysis & Opinions

Khama in crosshairs of BCL inquiry

April 29, 2025
Listen to the doctors!
Analysis & Opinions

Listen to the doctors!

April 28, 2025
Fasten your seatbelts, the rough ride unfolds! 
Analysis & Opinions

Fasten your seatbelts, the rough ride unfolds! 

April 15, 2025
Next Post
Civil Society cries to be heard

Civil Society cries to be heard

Please login to join discussion
  • Mining sector endures worst recessionMay 27, 2025
    Mining shows zero confidence on better business conditions Weaker global demand of rough diamonds trouble the sector Other sectors optimistic about improved conditions in 2025   BAKANG TIRO RelatedPosts Mining sector endures worst recession Who is the PSP PROTECTING?… Read more: Mining sector endures worst recession
  • Who is the PSP PROTECTING?May 27, 2025
    “She is protecting those facing corruption probe, hence removing DCEC intelligence head”- claim The DCEC recently confirmed that it was investigating some senior govt officials   DITIRO MOTLHABANE RelatedPosts Mining sector endures worst recession Who is the PSP PROTECTING?… Read more: Who is the PSP PROTECTING?
  • TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding SolutionsMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance MangerMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge BusinessMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
The Patriot On Sunday

© 2024 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders

© 2024 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?