Gambling partly to blame for mental health problems

MANZINI – Gambling addiction has been named as one of the causes of a mental health scourge that has resulted in overcrowding of patients at the country’s psychiatric hospital.

This transpired during a tour of the facility by the Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration/Integrity (CHRPA), as well as the Civil Service Commission (CSC) last Thursday. Both institutions are investigating some allegations of anomalies made against the institution.

Hospital Administrator Neliswa Mabaso and other health officials explained to the investigators that some of the patients were being treated for mental health challenges whose source was linked to gambling.

The investigators were informed that on the day of the visit, a ward meant to accommodate 45 patients was overcrowded with at least 100 patients at the institution, creating conditions feared to be a breeding ground for diseases.

Some patients sleep on mats and mattresses on the floor, a situation staff fear could worsen their mental health conditions.

However, the CHRPA and the CSC are still to compile a report of their findings.

The Eswatini Consumer Forum (ECOF) has called for stronger laws and regulations to control gambling in Eswatini, amid concerns over its impact on people’s mental health and livelihoods.

ECOF Chairman Mandla Ntshakala said gambling had become increasingly widespread, with opportunities to gamble now available in communities across the country, including rural areas.

Ntshakala was speaking in an interview following reports that some people were being admitted to mental health facilities as a result of gambling addiction and its repercussions.

“Gambling is really a challenge in Eswatini nowadays because everywhere you go, there are gambling opportunities. Even shops in rural areas have gambling consoles, enticing people to play,” Ntshakala said.

He said the widespread availability of gambling opportunities makes it unsurprising that some people are experiencing serious mental health problems linked to the activity.

“I am not surprised that many people are developing mental health problems as a result of gambling. In fact, it has been reported that some are dying as a result of gambling,” he said.

Ntshakala said the consequences of gambling could extend beyond mental health, affecting families and household finances.

He gave an example of a security guard who allegedly spent his entire salary on gambling, leaving him without money to meet his basic needs.

“A security guard takes a whole salary and spends it on gambling,” he said.

The ECOF chairman said the situation calls for urgent intervention through legislation and other control measures.

“There must be control measures to deal with gambling. We need a law to put it under control,” he said.

Ntshakala questioned why gambling should not be subjected to tighter controls when other activities considered harmful to public health, such as smoking, were regulated.

“If smoking is controlled, why not gambling?” he asked.

He further said some emaSwati had resorted to suicide as a result of gambling-related problems, although he did not provide statistics to support the claim.

Ntshakala also questioned the broader benefit of gambling to the country, arguing that the activity could cause more harm than good to individuals and families.

“If it were up to me, gambling would be abolished altogether because I do not understand the benefit to the nation,” he said.

He alleged that those benefitting most from gambling were the ‘top dogs’ in the country, while ordinary people bore the consequences.

His comments come as concerns over the conditions and challenges faced by patients at the National Psychiatric Centre have drawn renewed attention following the visit by the three institutions.

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