Zambia is gradually opening up conversations around mental health, moving away from long-standing cultural silence and misconceptions. Urbanisation, poverty, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have increased mental health challenges, with young people and women among the most affected.
The government and advocacy groups are pushing for stronger integration of mental health into primary healthcare, aiming to make services more accessible and affordable. Despite these efforts, stigma remains a major barrier, with many individuals seeking help only when conditions have become severe.
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