Meet Dr Nelao Mhata
Meet Dr Nelao Mhata
Specialist Psychiatrist & Founder of UpLift Mental Health
Qualifications: MBChB (UP, 2013), MMed Psych (UKZN, 2023), FC Psych SA (CMSA), Master’s in Public Health (current).
Dr Nelao Mhata is a Namibian specialist psychiatrist and the founder of UpLift Mental Health is a private practice dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. Her vision is to create a space where individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered to achieve mental wellness. Her goal is to create a space that truly raises the standard of mental health care in Namibia, and one that brings people together towards better mental health.
Dr Mhata holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree from the University of Pretoria (2013), a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry (MMed Psych) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2023), a Fellowship in Psychiatry (FC Psych SA) from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health.
She currently practices at Windhoek Central Hospital, where she provides care to both civil and forensic psychiatric patients. She also serves as a part-time lecturer at the University of Namibia’s School of Medicine, mentoring future doctors and inspiring interest in the field of psychiatry.
Beyond her clinical and teaching roles, Dr Mhata is passionate about public health, mental health advocacy, and research. Her ongoing projects explore topics such as depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience among health care workers, and the improvement of psychiatric care systems in Namibia.
At UpLift Mental Health, Dr Mhata offers a holistic range of services. These include psychiatric assessments for adults and adolescents, medication management, psychotherapy, as well as Wellness consultations for corporate companies. Her approach blends scientific knowledge with empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring each person receives personalised and effective care.
Outside of her practice, Dr Mhata regularly engages in community outreach, workshops, and public education on mental health awareness, substance use, and gender-based violence, striving to make mental health conversations open, accessible, and empowering.