Trauma and mental health in Zimbabwe

Organised violence and torture has been documented in all the last three decades of Zimbabwe's history, as was indicated earlier.vii One study showed that 1 adult in 10 over the age of 30 years reported torture and was suffering from a clinically significant psychological disorder as a consequence,viii and high rates of torture and consequent psychological disorder were found in a study of former guerrilla soldiers from the Liberation War of the 1970s. The paper was originally put together to stimulate and deepen discussion at the workshop on healing held at Mandel Centre, Harare in July (2011) and should be read in conjunction with the workshop report where the experience and ideas of participants are recorded.

Key wordsmental health / organised violence / torture / trauma

CountriesZimbabwe

CategoryPublication