By a Correspondent
Mental health awareness initiatives targeting men are gaining traction in Zimbabwe, with private sector organisations increasingly embracing workplace wellness programmes as part of efforts to address growing concerns around men’s mental health.
Vitality Wellness says it has now reached more than 2,000 men across different sectors through its Men’s Mental Health Awareness campaign and follow-up engagements, reflecting rising corporate commitment to employee wellbeing and psychosocial support.
The campaign initially aimed to engage 2,000 men during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in June and reached 1,940 participants, achieving 97 percent of its target. The programme was implemented in partnership with mining companies, financial institutions, churches and private sector organisations.
Vitality Wellness Lead Consultant Edith Maziofa Tapfuma said the campaign’s success highlighted a growing recognition among employers of the importance of creating safe spaces for men to discuss mental health challenges.
“We set out to reach 2,000 men during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and we are proud to have reached 1,940. Behind that figure are real conversations, real lives and real opportunities to break the silence around mental health challenges affecting men,” she said.
Tapfuma said momentum generated during June extended into July as more organisations requested male engagement sessions, demonstrating increased awareness within the private sector of the need to prioritise men’s mental wellbeing.
Companies such as ZPC and BOC Zimbabwe joined the initiative after June, helping the programme surpass the 2,000-men mark through engagements conducted across multiple sectors.
“The momentum that started in June extended beyond the month, with more companies requesting sessions and recognising the importance of these dialogues. We continued into July because of the demand and increasing private sector consciousness around men’s mental health and wellness,” she said.
According to campaign figures, Mimosa Mining Company reached 949 men, accounting for nearly half of all participants. BancABC Zimbabwe engaged 150 participants, Saint-Gobain reached 91, Norton Anglican Church 60 and Securico Security Services 40.
Beyond awareness campaigns, Vitality Wellness has focused on building long-term workplace support systems. Through its partnership with Zimplats, the organisation has trained 650 Male Mental Health First Aiders to identify signs of mental distress, provide initial support and encourage professional help-seeking.
Tapfuma said mentally healthy employees contribute to safer workplaces, stronger families and more productive communities, adding that the campaign demonstrated the growing role of the private sector in advancing mental health and wellness initiatives across Zimbabwe.
