Why Prioritizing Mental Health Support in Workplaces and Schools is Essential

The Inspirer Writer.

The conversation around mental health is gaining momentum as experts stress its critical importance in both workplaces and schools. With increasing recognition of the profound impact mental well-being has on productivity and learning, Solid Minds, a private mental health clinic in Kigali, spearheaded a groundbreaking event on May 31.

The event brought together educators, officials from the Private Sector Federation (PSF), and representatives from international and local organizations under the theme, “Live Out Your Potential: A Focus on Mental Health, Critical to Organizational Success and Wellbeing.” It underscored the importance of staff wellness and the need for open, honest discussions about mental health in the workplace.

Panelists emphasized that managers should foster a safe space for employees to express their concerns through surveys and initiate training sessions on well-being topics such as stress management, self-care, and work-life balance. Achieving work-life balance can involve practices like leaving work on time, avoiding after-hours emails, and taking regular breaks.

To address mental health issues in the workplace, discussants recommended appointing dedicated well-being advocates or champions within the staff to handle well-being issues, plan wellness activities, and allocate a budget for such initiatives.

Sam Munderere, co-founder and CEO of Solid Minds, stressed the importance of raising awareness about mental health and destigmatizing conversations surrounding mental well-being in various spheres of life, including workplaces, schools, homes, and families. He highlighted Solid Minds’ commitment to promoting safe spaces for these vital discussions without fear of stigma.

“The reality is that as long as people are not healthy mentally, emotionally, and socially, they cannot perform. The two are correlated. However, most companies don’t see this as their responsibility,” said Damien Mouzoun, CEO of Ayina Think Tank, a research-based counseling center. He advocated for organizations to provide mental health experts for counseling sessions in a safe environment, away from work, where employees can open up easily.

Mouzoun also noted cultural barriers to openly discussing health issues, making it difficult for employees to talk about their mental health. He suggested that employers organize retreats to relieve stress and create meditative spaces within the company or regular meditation sessions.

Dr. Darius Gishoma, Division Manager of the mental health unit at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), praised Solid Minds for organizing the event. He emphasized the importance of open dialogue in enhancing understanding, knowledge, and steps toward eliminating stigma surrounding mental health in various settings.

The discussions also extended to mental health in schools, urging educators to incorporate positive mental health activities into school programs, train leaders and educators about mental health and wellness, and recognize the critical role parents play in promoting learners’ mental health.

Munderere explained, “The event was organized based on our work in different organizations. We realized that many employees faced challenges at work that were not being addressed, impacting performance, productivity, and well-being. Poorly managed work can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression, hindering workplace well-being.”

This was the first event of its kind, and Munderere is optimistic that it will pave the way for similar events in the future. He noted that the event served as an eye-opener for managers who do not prioritize mental health or organize wellness events and sessions for their staff.

“Managers have gained insights into how they can help boost employee performance. We can’t be healthy if we are not mentally stable. It is okay not to be okay, and mental health is as important as physical health. Asking for help about mental health is a sign of strength.”

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