Zimbabwe: Collective efforts needed to end parasuicide in children and young adults

Parasuicide, defined as non-fatal self-harm behavior without intent to die, has become a serious public health problem worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Zimbabwe.

This phenomenon includes self-harm practices and suicide attempts, which are not fatal but may reflect a profound need for mental health intervention.

Sociocultural and economic challenges exacerbate mental health vulnerabilities, fueling risk factors for parasuicide.

This article discusses the incidence, causative factors, demographic trends and mental health framework of parasuicide in Zimbabwe, supported by statistical data from health care and research institutions.

Parasuicide is reported to be common in Zimbabwe, but reliable data remain sparse, mainly due to limited healthcare resources and lack of consistent reporting mechanisms. Nevertheless, some research provides insight into the parasuicide landscape in the country.

According to Zimbabwe’s National Mental Health Strategy 2019-2023, parasuicides contribute significantly to the health care burden, with estimates indicating that around 30 per cent of admissions to mental health services are for people displaying self-harming behaviour.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in 2020, Zimbabwe had an estimated suicide rate of 14 per 100,000 population.

These data highlight a pressing mental health issue, with parasuicide accounting for a significant proportion of cases.

A study conducted by the University of Zimbabwe’s Department of Psychiatry in 2021 found that parasuicide was more common among young adults, particularly those aged 15 to 34, accounting for about 60 percent of cases reported in urban hospitals.

Gender disparities also emerged, with women accounting for 70 percent of parasuicide cases.

Cultural and economic pressures disproportionately affect women in Zimbabwe, which may explain the higher incidence in this demographic.

Several interrelated factors influence the incidence of parasuicide in Zimbabwe.

These include mental health stigma, family and community stress, gender-based violence and socio-economic challenges. Each factor has distinct but overlapping impacts on vulnerable populations.

Economic challenges

Economic challenges contribute to psychological stress as individuals fail to meet their basic needs, support their families and provide stable livelihoods.

As a result, many young people in urban centers commit parasuicide to cope with economic despair.

Mental health stigma and limited resources

Mental health remains a stigmatized issue in Zimbabwe, where traditional beliefs often link mental illness to the supernatural. This perception discourages many people from seeking psychiatric help and turning instead to self-harm or parasuicide as an outlet for their struggles.

A 2019 study by Mental Health Zimbabwe found that 65 percent of respondents believed that mental health problems were a form of weakness or punishment.

Additionally, mental health resources are limited. The shortages make it difficult to implement quick and effective interventions for people experiencing mental disorders, which contributes to the increase in parasuicide statistics.

Gender-based violence and social pressure on women

Another problem is gender-based violence. According to UN Women’s 2021 Report on Violence Against Women in Zimbabwe, approximately 35 percent of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence. GBV is a significant contributor to parasuicide among women because survivors often lack access to support systems and mental health resources. Additionally, traditional societal expectations place enormous pressure on women to maintain family honor, leading many people to resort to self-harm to express unresolved trauma and frustration.

Youth vulnerability and academic pressure

Academic pressures and limited career prospects also put young people at risk. Zimbabwe has a high literacy rate, with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics putting it at 88.7%.

Unemployment among young people and competition for limited opportunities can lead to parasuicidal behavior as an outlet for their existential crises.

Zimbabwe’s health care institutions and non-governmental organizations have provided valuable data on parasuicide rates, which helps to understand patterns of occurrence.

A nationwide survey conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) in 2020 found that parasuicide cases were particularly high in urban areas (60%) compared to rural regions (40%), possibly due to better reporting in urban hospitals .

Moreover, the study found that 25 percent of all parasuicide cases involved people under the age of 24, highlighting a disturbing trend among youth.

In recent years, Zimbabwe has made some progress in addressing mental health and parasuicide issues. In response to the alarming statistics, the government has launched the Zimbabwe National Mental Health Strategy (2019-2023), which aims to improve access to mental health services and reduce stigma.

Key interventions include training health workers in mental health first aid, establishing community mental health programs, and increasing public awareness of mental health issues.

Community health workers and mental health training

Zimbabwe has expanded the use of community health workers to provide essential mental health services. Local health workers are trained to recognize signs of mental health disorders and provide counseling or referral to psychiatric services. This approach has shown promise by addressing the shortage of mental health professionals and increasing the availability of mental health support, particularly in rural areas where parasuicides often go unreported.

School mental health programs

Recognizing the vulnerability of youth, Zimbabwe has introduced awareness programs in schools to educate young people about mental health, stress management and self-care practices.

These initiatives aim to reduce parasuicide by empowering students to recognize mental health issues and seek help.

While the government has made efforts to address parasuicide through community health workers, school programs and non-governmental organization support, lasting progress requires greater investment and cultural change.

A comprehensive solution to the problem of parasuicide can lead to improved mental health outcomes, which will ultimately increase the resilience of Zimbabwean society.

Article by the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) written by: Dr. Farzana Naeem (PhD), Principal Clinical Psychologist)

Review by: (Dr. Farzana Naeem on 0788080001) (www.ahfoz.org/ (email protected))