Ahead of the World Mental Health Day today, The Times Group staff yesterday conducted a brainstorming session on mental health at its offices in Blantyre.
The media giant organised the event as way of promoting good mental health among its staff.
Speaking at the event, The Times Group’s Human Resources and Administration Officer, Madalo Haji, called upon staff to be each other’s keeper and to seek timely support when faced with life challenges.
Haji, a psychosocial counsellor, said mental well-being is crucial in the workplace as it enhances staff productivity.
She encouraged employees to open up when under pressure, seek professional help when needed and participate in social activities to relieve stress and prevent isolation.
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She emphasised that creating a supportive work environment where colleagues check on each other can help prevent depression and suicide.
“Make sure you seek help from friends, the police, churches and others when faced with life challenges,” she said.
“The principle is: Let’s avoid judging each other. Listen more and be kind to each other. You may not be able to take away all of somebody’s burden; but you can help reduce it,” she said.
Haji said mental health problems affect productivity, relationships and overall well-being and staff should avoid suffering in silence. Instead, they should share their burden and colleagues should listen and help, instead of taking the matter as subject of gossip.
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One of the staff members, Kelvin Kamude, hailed the event.
“The meeting has helped us to understand how to handle the various burdens on our mind, what to do when faced with challenges,” Kamude said. “I think this kind of meetings help a lot in achieving good mental health.”
Malawi is registering a sharp increase in suicide cases linked to economic pressure, work-related stress, debt, marital conflicts, drug abuse and depression.
Police data also shows that at least 2,014 people have killed themselves between 2022 and September 2025, with men accounting for an average of 87 percent of the deaths.
The most affected age group is that aged between 20 and 39 years, which is also considered the most economically productive age group.
World Mental Health Day was first observed on October 10, 1992, at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global organisation with members in more than 150 countries.
The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, mobilise efforts in support of mental health care, and encourage people to seek help.
