About teenagers
Adolescence brings changes in identity, relationships and emotions. Therapy offers a confidential space to talk about anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, relationships or school pressure, with the involvement of the family when appropriate.
Neuropsychologists assess and rehabilitate memory, attention, language and other cognitive functions after brain injury, stroke or in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Getting mental health care in Namibia
Public health system · Ministry of Health and Social Services public health services
Specialist public mental health care is concentrated at the Windhoek Mental Health Care Centre, a department of Windhoek Central Hospital with inpatient and outpatient services, and at the Oshakati Psychiatric Unit, which serves the northern regions. The Ministry is working to integrate mental health care into primary health care, but psychiatrists are few.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Social Work and Psychology Board/Council of Namibia (Health Professions Councils of Namibia, HPCNA). Psychologists and social workers are registered by the Social Work and Psychology Board under the Health Professions Councils of Namibia. Check the practitioner's name and status in the board's e-register. Search the official register
- Medical and Dental Board of Namibia (HPCNA). Doctors are registered with the Medical and Dental Board under the HPCNA. Check the practitioner in the board's e-register. Search the official register
Urgent help in Namibia
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergency services
- 116 · LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, hpcna.com, hpcna.com, hpcna.com
Signs to look out for
Mood swings, wanting more privacy and clashes with parents are part of adolescence. It may be time to seek help when a teenager seems persistently sad, anxious or irritable, withdraws from friends, loses interest in activities, has big changes in sleep or eating, drops in school performance, uses alcohol or drugs, self-harms, or spends most of their time isolated online.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Approaches with good evidence for teenagers include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy for depression, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) adapted for adolescents when there is self-harm, and family-based therapies. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists and family therapists usually lead the work; a child and adolescent psychiatrist may be involved when symptoms are severe or medication is being considered.
When to seek urgent help
Take any talk of suicide or self-harm seriously. If a teenager has a plan, has harmed themselves seriously, has taken an overdose or is in danger, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Seek urgent help too for signs of severe intoxication, sexual exploitation or online extortion, and do not leave them alone if at risk.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep communication open by listening more than lecturing, and choose relaxed moments, such as car journeys or meals, to talk. Respect their growing independence while keeping clear, agreed limits. Encourage sleep routines, physical activity and time away from screens. Show interest in their friends and activities. If they are reluctant to seek help, offer options and let them have a say in choosing.
What does a neuropsychologist do?
A neuropsychologist studies how the brain relates to thinking and behaviour. Day to day they carry out detailed assessments of memory, attention, language, planning and other cognitive functions using standardised tests, write reports, and design rehabilitation or stimulation programmes. They work with people after a stroke or brain injury, with neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental conditions, and with their families and medical teams.
When to see a neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist can help when there are noticeable changes in memory, concentration, language or behaviour, after a head injury or stroke, with concerns about cognitive decline, or to clarify learning or attention difficulties. They are also useful to plan rehabilitation and adapt daily life. If the concern is mainly emotional, a psychologist may fit better; medical causes need a neurologist.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Namibia cover psychological care?
Specialist public mental health care is concentrated at the Windhoek Mental Health Care Centre, a department of Windhoek Central Hospital with inpatient and outpatient services, and at the Oshakati Psychiatric Unit, which serves the northern regions. The Ministry is working to integrate mental health care into primary health care, but psychiatrists are few.
How do I check that a neuropsychologist is licensed in Namibia?
Social Work and Psychology Board/Council of Namibia (Health Professions Councils of Namibia, HPCNA): Psychologists and social workers are registered by the Social Work and Psychology Board under the Health Professions Councils of Namibia. Check the practitioner's name and status in the board's e-register.