COVID triggers increase in mental health cases

By David Bweupe

Ministry of Health mental health expert Gabriel Lungu says advent of the Covid-19 pandemic has deprived many families of their disposable income and other necessities resulting in an increase in mental health related cases.

Mr. Lungu says some of the gender based violence cases can be linked to mental health cases in couples which are left untreated and manifest in high temper and failure to control rage.

He has since urged people to regularly go for mental health checkups as part of their routine medical checkups.

Mr. Lungu says the ministry of health is training health workers in psychological first aid to enable them handle mental related cases.