Importance of psychosocial-support for Key Population

Psycho-education is regarded as one of the best forms of educating patients about treatment. PZAT through the ZIMTTECH (Zimbabwe Technical Assistance, Training and Education for Health) project and the Friendship Bench Zimbabwe are currently running a mental health intervention program that is focusing on providing psychosocial-support for Key Populations in Harare. The aim of this intervention is to improve mental wellbeing of KPs as part of a comprehensive package of health services.

Thirty Community Facilitators supporting 18 facilities in Harare were trained  to screen for common mental disorders and offer basic mental health support  through  problem solving therapy. Most Key Populations (men having sex with men, female sex workers, transgender, people who use drugs and people who inject drugs) are facing mental health challenges due to stigma and discrimination from those in their local community and some health facilities.

Mental health intervention is aimed at empowering Key Populations with skills and knowledge to cope with circumstances that affect their mental health.