Kuvimba, Ingutsheni joins the rest of the world in commemorating Mental Health Day

Harare- KUVIMBA Mining House (KMH) and other local corporate and health institutions have joined the world in commemorating World Mental Health day,Express Mail Zim can report.

It is commemorated yearly on the 10th of October .

This year’s edition is running under the theme “Mental health is a universal human right” and it was coined to improve knowledge and raise awareness, drive actions that promote everyone’s mental health.

Kuvimba’s sub theme is “Wellness Beyond Generations.

A sub theme is usually encompassed to enlighten a particular topic during the commemorations

In its concerted efforts to raise awareness about basic right of mental health in the community, Kuvimba held their commemorations at Siya Kayai in Borrowdale, Harare where renowned motivational speaker and master of ceremonies Maimba Mapuranga was chosen as the guest speaker with mind soothing activities like zumba were also lined up.

Zumba is psychometric exercise that helps ease the mind.

According to experts it can benefit many aspects of mental health.

“The combination of exercise and dance causes your brain to release endorphins like serotonin, making you happier. In general, exercise can also help alleviate any built-up stress, anger or anxiety that needs an outlet to escape,” propounded a world renowned shrink in his journal.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) the day provides an opportunity for stakeholders across the globe working on mental health issues to express and talk about their work and what is required to enlighten people across the world about mental health.

In Bulawayo, Ingutsheni Central Hospital also joined the rest of the world in the commemorations.

In an interview with a local publicatio, n, the hospital chief executive officer Nemache Mawere said :

” Mental health is a basic human right for all people. Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.”

He added that good mental health is vital to overall health and well-being.

He further said at least one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, well-being, how they connect with others, and livelihoods.

“Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people,” he said.

Lately, Zimbabwe has experienced a rise in crimes of passion, domestic violence and suicide cases. This scourge has no class, race , color or creed- it has permeated the social strata.

Last week, Oxlink managing director Brains Muchemwa was hauled before the court for assaulting his wife and pointing a gun at her.

He accused her of being an occultist and alleged that she was bewitching her.

Such was not expected from Muchemwa who is perceived to be an upright businessman with a seemingly squeaky clean character.

However, some of his close associates said he has for long been a victim of depression but he had bottled up emotions until they reached a bubble.

“Brains (Muchemwa) is not an isolated case of mental health.

” It affects both men and women but the fairer sex plays the victim card.

“Men try to play the macho role in the eyes of society and end up committing murder-suicides or drawing away from society.
“I know that Brains has for long been a victim with members from his wife’s church treating him like trash and he even tweeted the abuse,” explained the source.

The harsh economic environment in the country has also been attributed as a contributory factor.

“Imagine a husband has a salary cut and his kids are in boarding school, the wife is not working yet he needs to provide for the family.

“The social fabric and family unit is broken especially in this age we are living where some couples tend to have what I would term a lifestyle competition.

“To maintain the lifestyle some end up turning into crime, infidelity, and drug abuse.

“A recent case study is that of incarcerated socialite Mai TT, who because of societal expectations and pressure had to commit a crime.

“She admitted to that effect,” opined Rita Chinhengo a trainee sociologist.

In that background, the government is urged to come up with more strategies and programs that raise awareness of mental health issues- a basic human right.

Dr Nixon Chibanda, founder of the Friendship Bench Zimbabwe, has gone a long way in alleviating the effects of this challenge.

He focuses on the role of communities, policymakers, and other stakeholders in building capacity for mental health programs.