Cannabis hooks youths to mental disorders

By Brenda Kayo: Nearly one in three patients admitted to Zomba Mental Hospital are suffering from mental and behavioural disorders associated with cannabis use, The Daily Times has learned. Statistics we have sourced from the hospital show that between April and June 2026, the facility admitted 490 patients, of whom 455 were young people. Out of the total admissions, 137 patients were diagnosed with mental and behavioural disorders that are linked to cannabis use. Hospital spokesperson Harry Kawiya said the increasing number of young people who were seeking treatment for drug-related mental illnesses should serve as a wake-up call to communities, parents and policymakers. "We are urging young people to stay away from experimenting with cannabis and other harmful substances. Drug abuse has serious consequences on mental health and can affect a person's future," Kawiya said. He said a similar trend was recorded during the first quarter of 2026, when the hospital admitted 503 patients, including 422 youths, indicating that young people remained the most affected group. Hospital records further show that men continue to account for most of the admissions. During the April to June period, 405 of the patients were male, with the majority aged between 25 and 45 years. The latest figures also point to a persistent rise in drug-related mental health cases in recent years. In 2025, Zomba Mental Hospital recorded 2,096 admissions, of which 609 were associated with drug and substance abuse. In 2024, the hospital registered 2,182 admissions, including 436 linked to substance abuse. CALLED FOR STRONGERCOLLABORATION—Bandawe "Cannabis is readily available and relatively cheap compared to other drugs. Many young people also use it as a form of self-medication when dealing with stress, while others are influenced by peer pressure," Kawiya said. Clinical psychologist Chiwoza Bandawe said tackling the problem required more than law enforcement. "The laws regulating drug and substance abuse alone are not enough to deter the problem. We need to empower young people with healthy ways of managing stress through counselling, mental health education and community support," Bandawe said. He said the Mental Health Act of 2025 had strengthened Malawi's mental healthcare system by adopting a human rights-based approach that promotes patient welfare while encouraging guidance, counselling and mental health awareness in schools and communities. He has since called for stronger collaboration among families, schools, communities and government institutions to address the growing burden of drug-related mental illnesses among Malawi's youths.

WIRE — By Brenda Kayo: Nearly one in three patients admitted to Zomba Mental Hospital are suffering from mental and behavioural disorders associated with cannabis use, The Daily Times has learned. Statistics we have sourced from the hospital show that between April and June 2026, the facility admitted 490 patients, of whom 455 were young people. Out of the total admissions, 137 patients were diagnosed with mental and behavioural disorders that are linked to cannabis use. Hospital spokesperson Harry Kawiya said the increasing number of young people who were seeking treatment for drug-related mental illnesses should serve as a wake-up call to communities, parents and policymakers. "We are urging young people to stay away from experimenting with cannabis and other harmful substances. Drug abuse has serious consequences on mental health and can affect a person's future," Kawiya said. He said a similar trend was recorded during the first quarter of 2026, when the hospital admitted 503 patients, including 422 youths, indicating that young people remained the most affected group. Hospital records further show that men continue to account for most of the admissions. During the April to June period, 405 of the patients were male, with the majority aged between 25 and 45 years. The latest figures also point to a persistent rise in drug-related mental health cases in recent years. In 2025, Zomba Mental Hospital recorded 2,096 admissions, of which 609 were associated with drug and substance abuse. In 2024, the hospital registered 2,182 admissions, including 436 linked to substance abuse. CALLED FOR STRONGERCOLLABORATION—Bandawe "Cannabis is readily available and relatively cheap compared to other drugs. Many young people also use it as a form of self-medication when dealing with stress, while others are influenced by peer pressure," Kawiya said. Clinical psychologist Chiwoza Bandawe said tackling the problem required more than law enforcement. "The laws regulating drug and substance abuse alone are not enough to deter the problem. We need to empower young people with healthy ways of managing stress through counselling, mental health education and community support," Bandawe said. He said the Mental Health Act of 2025 had strengthened Malawi's mental healthcare system by adopting a human rights-based approach that promotes patient welfare while encouraging guidance, counselling and mental health awareness in schools and communities. He has since called for stronger collaboration among families, schools, communities and government institutions to address the growing burden of drug-related mental illnesses among Malawi's youths.

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