Right to a Normal Life : The progress of changing attitudes towards people with mental disabilities in Tanzania

Abstract: Research on mental disability in the Sub-Sahara African context has recently stagnated, and is in need of a revival. The objectives of this study was to examine (i) the current situation of children and youth with mental disabilities in the Morogoro Region, Tanzania, and (ii) how to create more community awareness on rights of people with mental disabilities in the society, to put the discussion of mental disabilities back on the agenda. To fully grasp the cultural context, we have used interviews with local professionals working with children and youth with mental disabilities, in order to gain knowledge of efficient ways to create more community awareness. Over time there has been a change of attitudes due to improved knowledge, mainly through the increased visibility of people with mental disabilities in the society. However there is still a need to create awareness of the rights of people with mental disabilities, especially in rural areas. In order to influence the current situation for this group, we have concluded, within the frames of social constructionism, that networking through a bottom-up approach could be appropriate to share the burden.