By Miss Ruvarashe Charakupa – ZNFPC Student intern studying BSC Social Work at Bindura University of Science Education
On 13 May 2026, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) hosted a Mental Health Awareness Day at its head office in Harare, bringing together staff, representatives from partner organization Kunashe, and members of the public traveling to and from Sally Mugabe Hospital. Coordinated by the social work intern team with support from the Marketing and Communications Department, the event ran for the whole day and was designed to break the silence around mental health in both the workplace and the wider community. The aim was to reduce stigma, create a safe space for people to check in with themselves and others, as well as connecting participants to practical support at a time when pressure from work, studies and family responsibilities leaves many adolescents and adults carrying stress in silence.
Before the activities began, we grounded the day with psychoeducation on what mental health actually means. Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It shapes how we think, feel and act, how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Paying attention to mental health matters because it influences every area of life. When it is neglected, productivity drops, relationships become strained, physical health suffers and the risk of burnout and disengagement rises. Talking about it openly makes help-seeking feel normal and allows problems to be addressed early. The day was structured to make mental health conversations accessible and practical through a mix of interactive activities, peer discussions as well as service delivery. It opened with icebreaker games to set a relaxed tone and encourage participation. In the “Mood-Check-in game,” each person shared one word for how they felt, with an option to say more if they wished. This was followed by “Two truths and a stress,” where participants shared two truths about themselves and one stressor they were carrying. These activities, adapted from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy approaches, helped shift the focus from problems to shared human experience and to the coping strengths already present in the group. Laughter as well as honest conversation emerged quickly, breaking down initial hesitation.
After the games, participants were divided into small groups by age: adolescents aged 15 – 19, young adults aged 20 – 30, as well as adults 30 and above. Each group discussed the common pressures they face and the ways they cope. Themes that surfaced included exam and work stress, financial pressure and the difficulty of talking to family about emotions. Facilitators guided the discussions using the Strength Perspective, encouraging participants to identify what already works for them rather than focusing only on what is lacking. This approach helped reinforce resilience and mutual support within the groups. The service delivery unit included a presentation from ZNFPC’s ASRH team on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and its connection to mental wellbeing. The team explained how stress, peer pressure as well as lack of accurate information influence decision-making and mental health among youth. They also outlined available services such as counseling, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information as well as clear referral pathways.
During the presentation, the team made an important point: if mental health is not maintained properly, it can develop into mental illness. They defined mental illness as a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, or behavior, leading to distress and difficulty functioning in daily life. Causes discussed included chronic stress, trauma, substance use, genetic factors and lack of social support. Effects on wellbeing can include impaired concentration, withdrawal from social life, sleep disturbances, physical health problems and reduced ability to work or study. Alongside the presentation, a basic health screening station offered blood pressure checks and stress self-assessment forms. Participants who needed further support were linked to counseling services available on site and through partner organizations. Participants were also left with practical techniques for maintaining good mental health. These included taking a few minutes each day to check in and name emotions, talking to trusted friends or colleagues to lighten the burden, setting boundaries to protect rest and prevent burnout, using strengths-based coping like exercise, prayer, or journaling and accessing counseling or SRH services early before stress becomes overwhelming.
Messages were tailored to the different groups present. To adolescents, the message emphasized that it is normal for school, friendships as well as self-discovery to feel overwhelming, and that reaching out to a trusted person before things become heavy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Young adults heard about the pressure surrounding work, money as well as the future, with a reminder that they are not behind and that rest, boundaries, as well as help-seeking are essential before burnouts set in. Adults were reminded that carrying responsibility for others does not mean neglecting their own wellbeing and that checking in on their mental health is necessary rather than selfish. The closing message to everyone was that metal health is part of being human and that moving away from pretending to be fine when one is not creates space for genuine support. Attending mental health awareness days matters because silence sustains stigma. When people come together to talk openly, help-seeking becomes normalized and individuals see that they do not have to carry struggles alone. These events also link people to services they may not have known existed, whether it is counseling, SRH support, or practical tools for managing stress. For workplaces, the benefits extend to improved wellbeing, communication and productivity. For communities, such days build networks of support that continue beyond the event itself.