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High rates of depression uncovered in Gaborone

Tuesday, December 02, 2025 | 40 Views |

Oarabile Motlaleng PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

As concerns grow over escalating mental-health challenges in the capital, Gaborone City Council has intensified its suicide-prevention campaigns through expanded outreach, health screenings, and referral services across its five constituencies.

The city’s mayor, Oarabile Motlaleng, said during a full council meeting on Monday that the strengthened efforts are beginning to reveal critical insights into the well-being of residents.

He reported that screenings have so far reached 351 people, with 52% found to have mild to moderate depression. A further 25.6% presented with severe depression, indicating that at least four clients showed significant depressive symptoms requiring urgent attention.

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Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

The Monitor Editor | 02 December 2025

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High rates of depression uncovered in Gaborone

As concerns grow over escalating mental-health challenges in the capital, Gaborone City Council has intensified its suicide-prevention campaigns through expanded outreach, health screenings, and referral services across its five constituencies.