Mental health in Namibia
Namibia, like many other African nations, faces important mental health challenges, compounded by socio-economic factors and limited access to mental health services. While the country ranks well in terms of fulfilling basic needs such as food and shelter, mental wellness remains an area of concern. WHO estimates Namibia suicide rate to be 9.7 in a 100,000 population. This is the fourth highest compared to neighboring South Africa (23.5), Botswana (16.10) and Zimbabwe (14.1).
‘Mental health is intrinsic and instrumental to the lives of all people. It influences how we think, feel and act. It underpins our ability to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is also a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.’
Wild life, the animal mind and the psychology of mammals are common knowledge to Namibians. People live close to nature and the way of living is basic and authentic. Namibia is home to a big community of farmers and horse owners.
Namibia is a huge country with exceptionally little inhabitants. Distance, loneliness and substance abuse are important topics in the vast rural areas of the country. Digitalization could play an important role in the development of mental health support processes.
👉🏽 The Timbila Project aims to develop a sustainable local business model for therapists, teachers and horse people through digitalization, the creation of culturally relevant e-learning content, and the training of life coaches, specialized equine coaches and natural horsemanship instructors.
The project will leverage Endelea’s expertise in digitalization, e-learning, mental health awareness and coaching to empower local professionals, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to provide high-quality care.
For this particular project, Endelea has established a collaboration with Horse Act (www.horse-act.be). Horse Act, a Belgian learning and development organization, guides teams and individuals to more balance, connection and better performance based on the philosophy of natural horsemanship.
“The herd is an age-old and authentic system, shaped by evolution, that works based on Respect and Trust. It is the essence of their silent language. Respect ensures that we do not overstep the boundaries of others. Trust ensures that we dare to come out of our comfort zone and show our vulnerability. And those dynamics are exactly the same for humans within their systems. By anchoring horse wisdom in our mind and body, we develop a unique and extremely valuable talent – Personal Leadership.”
Horse Act’s support will enhance Endelea’s ability to train local professionals in Namibia, providing them with the skills to utilize animal psychology and horse wisdom effectively in their coaching and therapeutic practices.
Project Objectives
– Develop a Sustainable Business Model for Life Coaches and Therapists in Namibia, allowing them to operate independently and effectively within their communities. This model will include training in marketing and e-sales, business management and client acquisition strategies tailored to the Namibian health care context.
– The Power of Digitalization will grant Local Professionals Access to Endelea’s Online Platform (“LMS – Learning Management System”) that facilitates communication, training and development. The digital tools will enhance the efficiency and reach of mental health services across Namibia, particularly in remote areas.
– Develop Culturally Relevant E-Learning Content in Mental Health care, the project will collaborate with local experts to develop content that resonates with Namibian cultural values and traditions. This content will be used to train mental health professionals, ensuring they are well-equipped to address the specific needs of their clients.
– Specialized Training in Equine-Assisted Therapy and Natural Horsemanship Training Methods: in addition to general life coaching skills, interested participants will be trained as equine coaches, learning how to integrate horse wisdom into therapeutic practices. This training will provide them with a powerful tool to connect with clients on a deeper level, using the natural sensitivity and intuition of horses to facilitate emotional healing and personal growth.
Strategic Partnerships
The Timbila Project will set up a number of strategic partnerships in Namibia to develop the platform and digital assets along with Horse Act. The platform will be made available to mental health workers, learning organizations, (horse) farmers and other local initiatives that fit the project purpose. Horse Act is a key content provider while Endelea acts as the development & implementation party of the project. We will look for additional financial sponsors to cover for project and software customization costs. Project roll out is scheduled as follows:
– Phase 1: Project Scope, Budget and Timelines (Q4 2024)
– Phase 2: Development and Training (as of Jan 2025)
– Phase 3: Implementation and Monitoring (as of Q3 2025)
– Phase 4: Through partnerships, extend scope to neighboring countries (as of 2026)
