24 Oct 2024

Positive mental health is a journey that requires attention and care.

Speaking during a community engagement on mental health on Wednesday in Gaborone, First Lady Ms Neo Masisi said it was important to cultivate positive mental health to enhance individual wellbeing and create a ripple effect in communities.

Ms Masisi said when individuals prioritised their mental health, they contributed to a supportive environment that fostered growth, empathy and resilience among other things.

She said by incorporating practices that promoted emotional awareness, resilience, social connections and self-care, individuals could lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

“The key things in life are the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and if you focus on eating healthily, exercising and praying, and your emotions are ignored, you won’t have a balanced life” she said.

She stated that in a world where mental health challenges were prevalent, it was essential to prioritise positive mental health, not just for personal happiness, but for the collective health of society.

First Lady Masisi highlighted that mental health influenced every aspect of life be it relationships, work and school performance, adding that positive mental health provided a safe space in every aspect, as it helped one to experience life in a meaningful way.

Individuals with positive mental health are empowered to manage stress, maintain fulfilling relationships, pursue goals and adapt to change effectively, Ms Masisi said.

She pointed out that traditionally, mental health was stigmatised for long, but it was high time it was put in the open.

Ms Masisi said it was troubling that Botswana was listed among countries with the highest suicide rates in the world.

“Suicide cases for men is reported to be four times higher than females,” she said and called for men and the boy-child to introspect and feel empowered to discuss their mental health challenges.

Ms Masisi said open conversations helped break down stigma and if men shared their feelings, it would foster emotional resilience and connection.  Such dialogues, she said, could create supportive environments where vulnerability would be seen as strength, ultimately promoting better mental health for everyone.

The First Lady also called on all to take care and be kind to others because whatever they did or said might break or make the next person.

In attendance were adolescent girls and young women, adolescent boys and young men, traditional leaders, as well as the elderly people.

Topics for discussion included cyberbullying, the role of leadership on mental health and wellbeing, suicide, drugs and substance abuse, as well as the role of family on mental health and wellbeing. ends