Leribe, Apr. 24 — Help Lesotho with engagement of different stakeholders is in the preparatory stage of establishing and strengthening Leribe District Mental Health Psychosocial Support Network.
The stakeholders are the Department of Social Development, Ministry of Education and Training, Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS), Bacha Re Bacha Youth Empowerment Forum and Sentebale.
Addressing the stakeholders at a one day workshop held at Help Lesotho premises on Thursday (yesterday) Help Lesotho Psychosocial Support Officer Ms. Felleng Lethola said the work adhered to by the above stakeholders require the establishment of the network in assisting the victims of mental health issues.
She said the purpose of the workshop is to strengthen district coordination with the primary objective to boost collaborative efforts among all the identified stakeholders within the district, optimising resource utilisation while aligning with national priorities.
She said the workshop seeks to find the key drivers of issues such as identification of the primary factors contributing to mental health problems within the nation, citing poverty as the main core towards mental health issues.
Talking about Leribe District Specific Context, Ms. Lethola said in reference to Local Resource Availability, there is shortage in resources within ministries or departments for assisting mental health victims.
In addition she highlighted that the meeting will also mark and discuss Community Level Challenges, Local Mental Health Snapshot and District Specific Service Gaps.
Moreover, she elaborated on Geographical Access issues, Socio cultural stigma and financial constraints as contributing factors to not fully reaching out to mental health victims.
Lethola mentioned that the network’s fundamental purpose is to enhance service accessibility and foster integrated care.
In conclusion, she said the key thematic focus areas into the network are service delivery enhancement, advocacy and awareness, capacity building initiatives and data collection and monitoring.
Speaking at the same workshop, one of the participants from LMPS, Child, Gender and Protection Unit (CGPU) Mrs. ‘Mamothibeli Thulo said the network is going to help LMPS to deal with either the survivors or perpetrators in the best way by handling their issues with care.
“Sometimes we get it wrong without realising and taking into consideration their mental health,” she stated.
On behalf of the Department of Social Development Ms. Mosa Matela said her department deals with mainly the ultra poor and poor beneficiaries categorised as elders, disabled and children.
She also highlighted poverty as the root cause of mental health issues.
However she said she and her coworkers are not fully capacitated in issues of mental health hence through the network they will be able to assist the victims as appropriately.
Help Lesotho offers psychosocial support to its beneficiaries in reference to their needs, adhering to follow-up to see the end result.
The network is expected to be functional starting from July 2026 with Help Lesotho as a key facilitator, providing technical assistance.
Ends/KC/tl
