We aim for good sound mental health for all in Zimbabwe and beyond: there is no health without mental health;
Supporting all children, adolescents, women, men and their families to live healthier lives at different stages remains our top priority;
To be strategically positioned so that when children, adolescents, women, men and their families require psychological support and systemic ongoing supportive family therapy;we will be in the right place, at the right time and with the right professional staff. This will include an emergency care response in cases of a crisis happened;
To have professionally trained staff and services that will be among the best in Zimbabwe and being the lead to the national development of evidence-based practice;
We want all children, adolescents, women, men and their families in Zimbabwe to start with sound mental health: to be emotionally healthy, one live happily in society, enjoying existence, carrying out adult responsibilities, creating a family and approaching old age with peacefulness. With increased self-esteem and self-care, understand their emotions, free from stigma attached and access mental health services within their communities.
Society for Pre and Post Natal Services (SPANS) works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care of the Republic of Zimbabwe (ROZ). A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the 9th of February 2016 concerning the implementation of programmes aimed at supporting the National Health Strategy (NHS) through the provision of education, on-going supportive family therapy/ counselling and psychological support services to the reproductive age group and the entire community.
SPANS is promoting antenatal, perinatal nutrition and postnatal care (APPC) to promote good mental health care across the life cycle starting on the pre and post natal phase.
SPANS initiated a program Maternal (Perinatal) Child and Family mental health to individuals seeking care for mental health disorders that have a bearing on their reproductive processes and to ensure that women’s mental health disorders and post natal emotional needs receive the same recognition as their physical needs.
It aimed at Improving Maternal (Perinatal)Child and Family mental health for women and their families in Zimbabwe with one greatest concern: promote mental health and well-being by 2030 in line with Sustainable Development Goals, the health-related goal (Goal 3) addresses a range of health challenges that are critical for development, notably, target 3.4 on reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, which includes promote mental health and well-being.
The current platform offers our services in the following ways:
provide one-on-one risk assessments , family therapy and counseling to individuals and both
All children, adolescents, women, men and their families to be asked about their emotional wellbeing at each routine antenatal and postnatal contact;
Improving access -ensure that services are available, appropriate, accessible and have sufficient capacity;
If referred for professional family therapy or psychological support interventions before, during pregnancy or the postnatal period to receive services/treatment within 3 days of referral;
Reducing stigma by raising awareness of Perinatal Mental Health (PNMH) at each routine antenatal and postnatal contact and in the community;
District Perinatal Mental Health Network Meetings;
Development of Integrated Perinatal Mental Health Pathway;
We are planning the expansion of the International Conference on Maternal Mental Health in Africa (ICAMMHA) by hosting another symposium for year two of the conference. The conference which is expected to attract 300 delegates, including family therapists, midwives, doctors, students, etc. from countries such as South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda,;
To implement interventions to manage family crises and provide care and support to families and
Training of specialised prenatal mental health workers / lay health workers to reduce adverse life events.
The Mission
The organization is to be strategically positioned and to provide an effective clinical practice of family therapy/counselling, psychological support and education, thereby not only to saving lives, but to health-care utilization, quality of care and improving quality of life locally, nationally, regionally and globally.
The Vision
To ensure a good sound mental health and well-functioning society with a reproductive stratum which is able to cope with challenges relating to
· mental health disorders
· social issues
· relationship building
· marriage
· Child bearing and care.
