NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH FORUM TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ISSUES Diarrho

Francistown City Council is gearing up to host the National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Forum aimed at addressing the growing issue of mental health challenges among individuals under 50 years old.Set to take place from October 2nd to October 5th, at the Adansonia Hotel,the forum

draws together stakeholders from various sectors, including mental health and psychosocial support providers, academia, international partners, community implementers, and the media. Its primary aim is to advocate for the integration of Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (PSS) into policies, programs, services, and funding priorities for children and youth in Botswana. This collaborative effort is jointly facilitated by the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) and The Ministry of Local social Support Forum in Johannesburg, Government & Rural Development, South Africa. Hosted by the REPSSI, through the Department of SociaBl YRtAhCisHrEeLgRioAnDaIlTeSvEeBnEt covers countries Protection (DSP). This year’s chosen from the East and Southern Africa theme, “Mental Health in Context,” AlmRoesgtioanm(EoSnAthR)i,natnoditB,oatsdweaandalywiollutun-breaakctoivfedlyiaprarrhtioceipaacteonthtirnoueghs

underscores the significance of tvoirtsuwael ep

derstanding the multifaceted factorsthrocuognhnetchteiocnosu, ennthrayn, ckiinllgicnrgososv-ererg1io0nwalith influencing mental health outcomesh. uncdorleladbsomraotiroenr.Iencepirveipnagrattrieoantmfoer ntht.e

These factors include social, cultural, Thneaotiuotnbarleaekvewnats, fitwrsot dretgeicotneadl afroorunmdsthe geographical, and economic aspectsl.ast weeerke ohfelAduinguSshtawkahwene athnde HGeoaoldthompieniinstry The forum aims to assess the relation-noticAeudgaunsti.nThcreasesegoatfhpeeroinpgles epsrpoevcidiaeldlyacnhilthedrenoupnpdoerrtufinvietyyfeoarrms ship between these factors and coorme epxltaeinsinivgeapbaorutitcih-avinterventionsing available mental health dpiatrirohnoeaandintGheabporersoennetatniodnsuorfriosusunedsing and services. According to a press re-areasa,tBthoetedtis,tSreiclitblevPehl.iBkweset apnradcMticaehsalnadpye. lease by the REPSSI,the event will start Dieamrrehrogeinagisisdseusecsrifbreodmatshtehse preagssioanges of with a Special Session for Childrenloosearoerexwpaetcetreydsttoooblewshhaircehdmduaryinogccthuer at and Youth on October 2nd and 3rdl,eastNtahtrioeneatlimFoersumin t2o4enhroiuchrst.hIet doifstceuns-ocvoicescurssiaolnosn.gThsideefonruamuseisap, providing a platform for young oviosemditoinngo,tcornalmy to be heard. This segment emphasizes and fever. be a pivotal event for advancing mental the importance of youth participation Diarrhoea health awareness, can cause advocacy, a lot of and discomfort action in discussions about mental health in Botswana, but it is hoped it will drive and psychosocial support. A unique meaningful change in mental health aspect of the forum is its concurrent and psychosocial support practices occurrence with the Regional Psycho- and policies.