Malawi: Malawi based artist Maxwell Mnjemu, is using his poetry to spread messages of hope to encourage people not to give up on life. The event was hosted with the aim of protecting the people from ending their lives due to depression and other mental health issues
This years World Mental Health Day theme focuses on; mental health in the workplace.
Mnjemu is also the Chief Executive Officer of Lino Security Services. He informed the members of the media that he wrote a poem to address mental health disorder.
Through his poem, Mnjemu hopes to reach those struggling with mental health issues. Through his work, he wants to remind the people that life is worthy of living no matter how difficult it may be.
“I wrote this poem to let people know that even in their darkest times, there is hope, I want people to realise that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how tough life might be,” he said.
In addition to poetry, Maxwell Mnjemu also writes messages on posters and stickers carrying the same message of hope.
Executive Director of the Mental Health Users and Carers Association (MeHUCA), Memory Bismarck commended Mnjemus efforts stressing the importance of using artistic platforms to raise mental health awareness.
“Poetry and other forms of art have a unique way of reaching people, while they are entertained, they also receive the message making it a very effective method of disseminating information about mental health,” she said.
Bismarck therefore emphasised that employers should prioritise their employees mental well-being as stress and depression can severely impact productivity.
“Mental health must be taken seriously at work, many men don’t open up about their mental health issues, which leads to tragic consequences, that’s why were seeing more men taking their own lives,” she said.
Bismarck called on organisations to collaborate with MeHUCA to establish free, private counseling centers where individuals can seek help without fear of stigma.
Malawi joined the world to observe World Mental Day on October 10 under the theme: “Its time to prioritise mental health in the work place; health work force is the best workforce.