The Mpumalanga Department of Health (DoH) successfully hosted an informative provincial mental health summit for women in the workplace at Nutting House Lodge on Friday, August 31, in Mbombela.
We may be closing Women’s Month, but we will continue to support programmes that seek to empower or educate women about mental health in the workplace.
According to the DoH, the summit sought to promote women’s mental health, as it plays an important role in many aspects of their lives; it can affect work performance, physical health, and even relationships and self-esteem.
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In her keynote address, the MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, strongly encouraged workers to be cognisant of the symptoms of anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, and to avoid stigmatising and discriminating against those who are diagnosed. “We may be closing Women’s Month, but we will continue to support programmes that seek to empower or educate women about mental health in the workplace. An awareness of mental health allows us to preserve our well-being, address potential problems and notice warning signs. I urge our managers to create a safe mental health environment for workers to be productive and positive. Please continue to take care of your physical health, since your physical and mental health is connected,” said Manzini.
Various speakers of the DoH’s partners and stakeholders shared informative and educational experiences to empower and to create awareness about what is faced by senior executives in various health facilities.