By Vida Msiyo

Blantyre, October 11, Mana: Based on a report that 246 men and 35 women have died of suicide, one artist, Maxwell Mnjemu, is using his poetry to spread messages of hope to encourage people not to give up on life.

Mnjemu, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Lino Security Services, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that he wrote a poem to address mental health disorder.

Through his poem, Mnjemu hopes to reach those struggling with mental health issues, reminding them that life is worthy living no matter how difficult it may be.

“I wrote this poem to let people know that even in their darkest times, there is hope, I want people to realize that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how tough life might be,” he said.

In addition to poetry, Mnjemu develops messages on posters and stickers carrying the same message of hope.

Executive Director of the Mental Health Users and Carers Association (MeHUCA), Memory Bismarck commended Mnjemu’s efforts stressing the importance of using artistic platforms to raise mental health awareness.

“Poetry and other forms of art have a unique way of reaching people, while they are entertained, they also receive the message making it a very effective method of disseminating information about mental health,” she said.

This year’s World Mental Health Day theme focuses on; mental health in the workplace,

Bismarck therefore emphasized that employers should priorities their employees’ mental well-being as stress and depression can severely impact productivity.

“Mental health must be taken seriously at work, many men don’t open up about their mental health issues, which leads to tragic consequences, that’s why we’re seeing more men taking their own lives,” she said.

Bismarck called on organizations to collaborate with MeHUCA to establish free, private counseling centers where individuals can seek help without fear of stigma.

Malawi joined the world to observe World Mental Day on October 10 under the theme: “It’s time to priorities mental health in the work place; health work force is the best workforce.