IAC-IRTAC-Research

Zambia

zambia

Summary

Counselling Associations

All Professional Bodies, National Associations (e.g. Mental Health, School, Guidance, Addiction, Faith-based etc.) and Accrediting Organisations.

National Guidance and Counselling Association Of Zambia

Prisons Care & Counselling Association 

The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council together with (Zambia National Traditional Counsellors Association)

The Psychology Association of Zambia

Universities and Other Education and Training Institutes

University of Zambia

Information and Communication University, Zambia

  • University Website: https://icuzambia.net/index.php
  • Programme Website: https://tinyurl.com/y9z6pysf https://tinyurl.com/xpjtccuc
  • Programme Types: Bachelor of Social Work Practise and Development, Masters in Social Work  

Mulungushi University

Rusangu University

DMI-St Eugene University

The Zambia Catholic University

Justo Mwale University

Supershine University

Trans-Africa Christian University

Gideon Robert University

Chreso University

The University of Barotseland

Copperstone University

Trinity University

OAK University

Chalimbana University

Mosa University

Mansfield University

Harvest University

Bethel University

Brookebesor University

University of Edenberg Kitwe

Zambia Institute for Medical and Psychological Studies

Counselling Agencies, Services, Group Practices, Counselling Centres

PsychHealth Zambia

AJFPS

Renaisense

MNK Psychotheraphy and Wellness Centre

Background & Context

Historically, mental health care has been a neglected part of the health system in Zambia, with services concentrated at provincial government hospitals and not at the primary care level.

Currently, Zambia has only one psychiatric hospital known as Chainama Hills Hospital which is based in the capital city of Lusaka. It was opened in the year 1962 as a national referral centre. The capacity of the hospital filled with about 500 beds divided into 380 general adults and 120 forensic. Years later small divisions begun to develop in seven provincial areas run by the clinical officers and psychiatric nurses (Ngungu & Beezhold, 2009).  

Current Regulatory Status / Level of Recognition:

There is one association that matches to the counselling system which is known as the Psychological Association of Zambia that was formed to promote and help regulate the field of psychology in Zambia.

Practice Settings

There are practice settings from associations, prison care, hospitals and private settings.

Challenges & Trends

  •  There are high levels of stigma to those who are mentally ill and are not accepted in the culture or in their own family belongings such as also against their families and those who are working in the mental health services. Many patients are disowned by their families. Most long-stay patients in Chainama Hospital have not contact with their family members due to this stigma (Ngungu & Beezhold, 2009). 
    Zambia needs more capacity for psychiatrist to help build such services. There is also a need of psychologist, mental health professionals and including occupational therapist. Training people from overseas, as has been proved over the years, but it is not effective option. The establishment of training facilities will be expensive or uncertain.
  • Inadequate funding, lack of prioritisation at the policy level, few human resources (specialists) led to a shortage of mental health services at primary care level (Munakampe, 2020).
  • The lack of provision of community mental health services from the health sector left little room for awareness and knowledge of mental health and mental health conditions in the community (Munakampe, 2020).

Additional Information & References

For more information about the counselling profession in the state, interested readers are encouraged to read the following journal and website articles:

  • Munakampe, M. N. (2020). Strengthening mental health systems in Zambia. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 14(1). doi:10.1186/s13033-020-00360-z
  • Mwape L, Mweemba P, Kasonde JM.  Strengthening the health system for mental health in Zambia. Lusaka: Zambia Forum for Health Research; 2010.
  • Ngungu, J., & Beezhold, J. (2009). Mental health in Zambia – challenges and way forward. International Psychiatry, 6(2), 39-40. doi:10.1192/s174936760000042
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