Mental health interventions in Chikwawa District are facing major setbacks due to funding constraints, a challenge exacerbated by the ongoing global foreign aid freeze.

Dalitso Itaye Shire, Mental Health Coordinator for Chikwawa, acknowledged the assistance provided by the District Health Office but stressed that financial limitations have hindered their ability to extend services to remote areas.

“Our team has been disseminating mental health messages around Chikwawa. However, due to inadequate finances, we have been unable to reach other areas, which has limited our ability to sensitize the communities,” Shire explained.

The district’s mental health outreach has focused on educating communities, workplaces, and faith-based organizations on mental well-being and coping mechanisms to reduce mental health issues and prevent suicide.

However, outreach efforts remain largely centralized due to the lack of transportation and logistical resources.

George Jobe, Executive Director of the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), noted that while advocating for increased funding remains vital, integrating mental health into broader health programs and promoting inter-sectoral collaboration could offer practical solutions under the current financial constraints.

“Collaboration and integration are key strategies that can sustain mental health interventions even in resource-constrained settings,” Jobe said.