Analysis of mental health challenges faced by young people abusing crystal methamphetamine in Africa: A case of Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Mental health and wellness are aspects of life that have increasingly become an issue of great concern among young people in Africa with special attention paid in Zimbabwe. Most of them are subjected to agonies of rampant unemployment, violence, school dropouts, drug abuse and alcoholism to mention but just a few. Some of the young people migrate from their rural homes to Harare the capital city in search of greener pastures and when they fail to get employment they resort to living and working on the streets of the big city. Some resort to drug and substance abuse as a way to help them cope with the stress that comes with struggling to sustain their livelihoods. Most of these youths now smoke crystal meth, which is known as mutoriro, however this drug comes with many defects on their mental well-being. The main objective of the study was to explore the dimensions of the mental health struggles encountered by youths abusing mutoriro. The researchers used a qualitative method with a descriptive multiple case study design to examine the well-being of the youths. Ten in-depth interviews with the participants were conducted in Shona (since some of them were illiterate). Three key informant interviews were also carried out. The data were transcribed, translated and thematically analyzed.

How to cite this article using ASWNet style

Tome R. A. and Abur W. (2023). Analysis of mental health challenges faced by young people abusing crystal methamphetamine in Africa. A case of Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe. People centred – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA), 8(1), 1-7. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jda.v8i1.1

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