Tanzania to formally recognise private practice by psychologists

This announcement was made by the Assistant Social Welfare Commissioner from the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Baraka Makoma, who graced the Tanzanian Psychological Association (TAPA) scientific conference and 8th annual general meeting, held in Dodoma over the weekend.

The theme of the meeting was "The Role of Psychologists in Enhancing Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-Being in Tanzania."

Mr Makoma was reacting to Tapa’s concerns over the lack of legal mechanisms to recognise private psychologists.

This situation, according to participants at the Tapa meeting, made it difficult for psychologists to open private practice and carry out their duties legally.

Mr Makoma said the new Bill to recognise and regulate the private practice of psychologists will soon be tabled in Parliament.

He informed the meeting that there are currently 1,300 social welfare officers across the country, and the government intends to employ an additional 350, but this number remains insufficient to meet the high demand.

Recently, Minister of Health Ummy Mwalimu emphasised the need to consider providing psychological and mental health services in response to various violent incidents occurring in the country.

Mwalimu urged health experts to explore the feasibility of integrating mental health services into the national health insurance system, aiming to reduce treatment costs for the population.

During a recent budget speech, she said that the Ministry has been actively enhancing mental health services through partnerships with development stakeholders and finalising the strategy for providing mental health services, psychological support, and social assistance.

Vanessa Amada from the Vannesser Foundation said she plans to conduct mental health awareness sessions for secondary school students nationwide.

"We are awaiting approval from the authorities. Once we receive it, our goal is to reach over 10,000 students in the central zone regions of Dodoma, Singida, and Manyara," she said.

She said there are various types of anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions, such as behavioural and emotional disorders in children, bipolar affective disorder, depression, dissociation, dissociative disorders, and eating disorders.

Vanessa also mentioned that she experienced depression after being expelled from university, which led her to establish a foundation to help others, especially young people.

Dr Hezron Onditi, a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, emphasised the pivotal role of psychologists in assisting people to manage their mental health, providing support, and implementing strategies that promote optimal mental well-being.

He noted that their expertise is essential in promoting psychological resilience, enhancing performance, and improving the quality of life.

“Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being that affects individuals at every stage of their lives and in various settings, including the workplace, sports, and other environments,” he said.

Dr Onditi mentioned that the diseases given priority are mostly HIV/AIDS, TB, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), but not mental health, which is now a significant problem in the country.

He stated that most people with mental health problems do not need to go to the hospital and see a doctor; they only need a psychologist.

A lecturer from the National Social Welfare Institute, Dr Zena Mabeyo, said that her institution is in the process of starting a new curriculum for psychologists, ranging from certificate to diploma levels.

She also noted that the source of mental health issues can often be the workplace, where workers are given tough assignments with limited time or receive unfriendly commands from their bosses.