AN array of local musicians across genres have been part of efforts to raise awareness on mental health-related issues.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn and work well and contribute to their community.
Songs that have been released carrying mental health-related themes include Zvinokunetsa by Zim hip-hop sensation Holy Ten, Nuti’n Ah Gwan (Moyo Wangu) by Zimdancehall chanter Freeman, Ndibateiwo by songstress Feli Nandi and Kudeepisa by the late Garry Mapanzure, among others.
Hip-hop artiste Voltz JT real name Nkosinathi Sibiya is the latest musician to address mental health through music with his latest release titled Mkoma Brian that has an accompanying video.
The song unpacks how men’s mental health is neglected in marriages. The video shows men resorting to alcohol to escape reality (marriage problems) and how some have succumbed to suicide emanating from romantic relationships.
According to Meseli Nyoni, the Padare/Enkundleni Men’s Forum programmes officer, 483 men approached them last year for counselling citing economic and emotional abuse.
According to a WHO report on suicide published in August 2023, 703 000 people took their own life and there are many more people who attempted suicide.
The report added that experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour.
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