Martin Muleya
MUTARE CITY-As she sat on her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen, Emily Mashegu* couldn’t shake off the feeling of overwhelm that had been building up for weeks.
She was a high performing marketing executive, always meeting her deadlines and exceeding targets. But behind the story of success, Mashegu (27) was struggling.
Long hours, constant pressure to perform and a lack of support from her manager had taken a toll on her mental health. She felt anxious, depressed and disconnected from her colleagues and loved ones.
According to a survey in Zimbabwe, one in five employees experience mental health issues each year, with anxiety and depression being the most common conditions. The impact on business is significant, with mental health issues leading to absenteeism, presenteeism (being physically present but not productive) and turnover.
Mashegu’s company like many others in Zimbabwe, have started recognizing the importance of mental health in the workplace. Through the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), her company has introduced employee assistance programs, mental health days and training for managers to support employees struggling with mental health issues.
Speaking on the sidelines of a mental wellness workshop organized by CZI Manicaland chapter Psychotherapy, Care and Counselling Services (PCCS) Mental Health Consultant Dr. Mazvita Machinga highlighted that the workshop was an eye-opener as participants have gained knowledge and tools on what to do at their workplaces to promote mental wellness.
“We call all workplaces to take mental health issues seriously because there is no health without mental health. When we see people at the hospital, we see people with various physical issues. Most of these if you follow through, you will find that they are all emanating from various mental health issues like when they have ulcers, heart attacks, substance use disorders, all these can actually emanate when people have unaddressed mental health problems.
“There is a big relationship between mental health problems that are unaddressed and physical problems. It is important that we take seriously the issue of mental health just as we do with physical health,” Dr. Machinga explained.
Asked whether the issue of mental health awareness was going to be cascaded to the informal sector, Dr. Machinga highlighted that there was need to network with the sector.
“We are going to engage informal sector so that they can also give opportunities to be able to understand mental health issues. Even in bus ranks we have people who need to know the impact of poor mental health in workplace,” she added.
With the support of her company, Mashegu began to open up about her struggles and sought help. She started attending therapy sessions, practicing self-care and setting boundaries at work.
As her mental health began to improve, she noticed a significant change in her productivity and job satisfaction. She was able to connect with her colleagues on a deeper level and her creativity and innovation flourished.
Manicaland Provincial Medical Director Dr. Francis Mukuzunga also weighed in encouraging people in workplaces to open up to their colleagues as they will be going through life’s challenges.
“Sometimes it takes long for a workmate to open on mental illness. At some point when one is stressed and needs support to go through life’s challenges. We need to take a proactive role as the business community to make sure that the workplace where we spent most of our time at is very safe for us,” he said.
Mashegu’s story highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment businesses can help employees thrive, improve productivity and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
As the conversation around mental health continues to grow, companies must take action to support their employees’ well-being. Mental health is not just a personal issue but a business imperative.
*not her real name
