Harare, Zimbabwe — In Zimbabwe, mental health is increasingly becoming the hidden casualty of prolonged economic instability. Rising inflation, unemployment, and daily survival pressures have left many citizens battling anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion—often without professional support. Public hospitals remain overwhelmed, and mental health services are critically underfunded. With few psychiatrists serving millions, community-based initiatives have emerged as lifelines. Programs led by trained lay counselors and community elders are providing basic psychological support, especially for women and young people. Mental health professionals say the country’s economic challenges are not just financial—they are psychological. Constant uncertainty has normalized stress and trauma, making emotional suffering feel like an unavoidable part of life rather than a health hazard.
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