The forum targets stakeholders from different sectors who provide MHPSS services especially to children, the youth, families, workforce, academia, international partners and community implementing partners among others.
The main forum will take place from October 2 to 5, 2023 in Francistown under the theme; “Mental Health in Context.” To encourage more participation, two regional forums would precede the main event.
The Okavango District Council will host the northern forum in Shakawe from 19 to 22 August, 2023 while Goodhope District Council will host the southern part of the country.
Speaking at the launch, REPSSI Country Representative, David Kanje said the first two days of the regional events will be reserved for children to give them an opportunity to participate in a forum about them. The regional forums are expected to give districts an opportunity to identify gaps in the provision of mental health and psychosocial support services in their localities and come up with ways to close them.
Kanje further stated: “REPSSI convenes the Regional Psychosocial Support forum to emphasise the need for locally designed solutions that will enable sustainable access to essential MHPSS services while considering the socio-cultural context and existing barriers that children and youth in the region face in accessing mental healthcare.” National OVC coordinator, Malebogo Modiakgotla said the intention is to leave an impact and give children a voice.
After realising the influence of Chiefs, she said they gathered 43 of the traditional leaders to help protect children who in some areas are given out to men for cohabitation. Since the last event in 2021, the partners have experienced funding problems but have implemented some of the forum's last resolutions. Tree of Life conducted training for 100 social welfare officers (SWO) to boost their counselling skills while hospital, government and other SWO staff were assisted to ‘stay in touch with their emotions’ through the Care for Carers initiative.
