Namibia: Witchcraft Stigma Fuels Mental Health Isolation
Namibian parliamentarian Augusta Katembo has highlighted how the association of mental illness with witchcraft and curses leads to severe social stigma and isolation in rural areas. She is advocating for the new mental health bill to improve service decentralization and protect patient rights.
Why it matters
Addresses the intersection of cultural beliefs and public health, emphasizing the need for policy reform to improve mental health outcomes in underserved regions.
National Council parliamentarian Augusta Katembo says mental illness in rural communities is often associated with witchcraft and curses, fuelling stigma, discrimination and isolation.
Katembo says families sometimes hide relatives suffering from mental illness because of shame and stigma, limiting their access to treatment and support.
"Mental health in rural areas is often misunderstood. This is due to stigma and cultural discrimination. Mental illness is often associated with witchcraft and curses," Katembo said on Tuesday during a discussion on the 2025 mental health bill.
Katembo added that rural communities face vulnerabilities including poverty, unemployment, limited access to healthcare and exposure to trauma.
She said these challenges are worsened by long distances to health facilities and inadequate mental health service delivery.
Katembo said the mental health bill could help challenge stigma and outdated laws that failed to adequately protect patients' rights.
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