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Writes Chimeno Azriel
Local Mental Health Advocate, Vickie Maponga, is set to join other top speakers and experts at the inaugural Africa Health Summit set to be held in Accra Ghana this week. The summit will run from the 25th – 26th July 2024.
Running under the theme ‘ Enhancing Mental Health and General Wellbeing in the Workplace: A Call to Action’ the summit will be graced by key speakers Professor Ulrich Hegerl who is the President of the European Alliance Against Depression and Dr Victor Matabane APAS Health Committee Chairman, with other speakers from Nigeria, Ghana, United States of America and United Kingdom including our own Mental Health champion Vickie Maponga.
Vickie said she was honoured and humbled to be one of the speakers at the first Africa Health Summit and was looking forward to raising awareness about Mental Health.
‘I am honoured, humbled, and excited to be a speaker during the first Africa Health Summit in Ghana. I am passionate about Mental Health, so this sounds like a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about it, not just in Zimbabwe, but across the continent” said Vickie.
“I am flattered to be given the platform to share insights and advocate for better mental health support and resources. It’s a crucial dialogue to have, and I will do my best to represent the voices of those who often go unheard in these important discussions. I will do my best to represent Zimbabwe,” continued Vikie.
Maponga, a television personality sees it as a great opportunity to come up with solutions for mental health issues in Africa and share valuable insights and information with a wide audience. She believes that speaking at such an event will allow her to grow as an individual, make a positive impact, and contribute and also learn what she can come back home and implement and bring positive change around Mental Health.
Mental health is an integral part of people’s daily lives be it in the workplace, schools, and everywhere. Issues like substance abuse among children are on the rise. Mental Health is intertwined with everything and everyone and one cannot separate it from any aspect of life.
Vickie Maponga, a ZBC news anchor, recently received the People’s Choice and Wellbeing Award at the 2024 Women Changing the World Awards in New York and the award is a prestigious recognition for women who are making a positive impact globally.
Vickie said attending the summit in Ghana as a mental health advocate will be a transformative experience. She anticipates engaging in meaningful discussions with other advocates, policymakers, and experts in the field. Maponga hopes to learn from participants’ experiences, share best practices, and collaborate on ways to improve mental health support in Zimbabwe and beyond.
“I will share my expertise on mental health and provide practical tips and strategies for improving mental well-being. Moreover, I will listen to other speakers, learn from their experiences, and exchange ideas with fellow participants. After the summit, I plan to bring back new insights, ideas, and strategies to further my advocacy work in Zimbabwe. I aim to implement innovative solutions, raise awareness through various platforms, and work towards influencing policies that prioritize mental health services in our country. I anticipate a renewed sense of motivation and determination to make a positive impact on mental health care in Zimbabwe,” said Maponga, who is not shy to share her personal experiences.
The first Africa Health Summit is being organised by Global Skills Hub UK in partnership with African Project Against Suicide and Emma Njoku Foundation.
The summit offers an opportunity for Africa to harness its human capital, raise Mental Health awareness, and foster support in the workplace, paving the way for a healthier and more productive continent. It comes amid revelations that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$1 trillion each year in lost productivity.
The summit will unite industry leaders, Mental Health experts, and professionals from across Africa, featuring renowned speakers including Professor Alexander Owolabi from Nigeria, Mr. Jerry Vreeman from the United States, and Ms Gloria Amosah Arhin from Ghana, among other speakers.
Organisers say the summit presents a unique opportunity for Africa to harness the potential of its human capital and foster a culture of mental health awareness and support in the workplace.