MALAWI: Psychosocial Counselling Technicians Seek Government Support

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi

A group of 200 Psychosocial Counselling Technician Advocacy members, trained to provide mental health support, has been formed under the leadership of Buxton Shaba.

According to Shaba, there is concern that the government is not fully aware of the existence of this group of psychology professionals in Malawi.

Shaba is seeking official recognition from the government, which would enable the technicians to provide their services effectively.

He made the outcry on Friday during the official launch of the group in Lilongwe, saying, “We are trained to provide mental health services, but our skills are not being utilized due to lack of recognition.

We are calling upon the government to recognize us and provide us with the necessary support to enable us to provide our services effectively.”

Maziko Matemba, a health activist, has expressed support for the group, emphasizing the need for more mental health professionals, especially during times of crisis.

In response, Adrian Chikumbe, a health expert, has requested time to address the concerns of the technicians. The formation of this group highlights the importance of recognizing and supporting mental health professionals in Malawi.