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Ropafadzo Ndangariro Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has embarked on a mental health drive which seeks to educate its staff on the importance of a stress-free work environment in prisons around the country, a senior officer has said. Speaking during the World Mental Health Day commemorations at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison on Friday, ZPCS deputy commissioner-general (administration) Dr Alford Dube said mental health knowledge enabled people to realise their full potential, cope with stress, work productively and contribute to their communities. This year’s commemorations were held under the theme “Mental health in the Workplace” .

“Mental health in the workplace is an initiative that promotes a safe psychological friendly work environment,” said Dr Dube.
“As an organisation, if we are to put in place mental health support policies in the work place, our officers will benefit in a big way, thereby enhancing service quality, client satisfaction and strengthens the organisation’s image,” he said. Dr Dube said superiors must be considerate when dealing with their subordinates and get rid of unfavourable working conditions, long working hours, workplace conflicts, bullying, job insecurity and sexual harassment, among others.

He said ZPCS will continue promoting mental health in all its stations countrywide through acknowledging individual and team achievements, ensuring that there is a knowledgeable and competent multi-disciplinary health care team that includes psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and councillors.

“If untreated, constant high levels of stress can become a chronic condition which can exacerbate existing mental conditions and chronic physical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, weak immune system, sleep disorders, headache, mood disorders,depression and anxiety, said Dr Dube. He said that despite efforts towards combating mental illness in relation to both officers and inmates, ZPCS still faces numerous challenges, including lack of enough medication, especially at Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit that currently has a total of 257 patients.