Making mental health and well- being for all a global priority

Freedom Mutanda Herald Correspondent

Tinashe Mariga (not his real name) knifes himself on the throat and for a day, word moves round that he is dead. The reason: his girlfriend had refused to be intimate with him.

In another part of the country, a young woman, Mazveshe Chipikiri (19) hangs herself after a bully in her class called her names.

These cases are not isolated. Mental health complications are the bane of the modern world where individualism takes centre stage.

10 October is World Mental Health Day.

For People of Concern and refugees, they have gone through traumatic experiences on their journey from their countries.

It is against this background that MSF Medecins San Frontieres decided to celebrate the day beginning with a fun run at Tongogara Refugee Camp where a number of women and men braved the sweltering heat to compete in the five kilometer fun run much to the excitement of the appreciative crowd which thronged the event.

Ms Janet Mukurumbira, the MSF Mental Health Activity Manager, said mental health was essential for the well- being of not only the refugees but the people around including the caregivers. She said that the roots that are carrying everyone are girded by people’s mental health.

”Mental Health Day reminds us that we need to take care of our mental health. As such, our mental health programme aims to strengthen people’s resilience and coping mechanisms,” she said.

As part of the day’s activities, refugees from the camp engaged in small talk as they played chess and drafts. In that sense, the mental health activities ensure that people have more conversations with each other.

When people talk about mental health, they will relax.

There is no health without mental health. It is poignant that the Baobab House concept implies that people can survive in harsh conditions through cultivating good habits and maintaining healthier habits that will ultimately improve overall well- being.

A 60 year old completed the race without suffering any health problem. He is Gikela Mulondani Sebastien from the Eastern DRC.

“I urge other people to relax and engage in sport for mental health activities just in the manner we have done it,” he said.

He is one of five men over 60 who trudged on even though the heat was unbearable.

The Covid-19 pandemic has spawned a global crisi for mental health leading to short and long term stress thereby making millions vulnerable to mental health problems.

Importantly, stigma and discrimination is an elephant in the room for mental health experts.

This can lead to social barrier yet if people envision a world mental health is valued, promoted and protected, they need to pay attention to this year’s theme of World Mental Health Day.

“Making Mental Health and Well-Being for All –a Global Priority. The World Health Organization is the leading light in the fight against mental health challenges, employees, employers, governments and other stakeholders are urged to be champions of mental health wherever they are. Therefore, World Mental Health Day is a prime opportunity for everyone, people of concern and other stakeholders to embrace that sense of community and normalize mental health.”