Safaricom NSE (SCOM), in partnership with Minet Kenya, have held a mental health forum bringing together stakeholders and decision makers from the private sector and government, to spearhead an initiative addressing mental health concerns within the workplace.
The forum, themed “Unlocking Minds, Transforming Futures” aimed to broaden perspectives on how current metal health initiatives may be affecting employees.
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It brought together stakeholders in mental health, including Dr. Frank Njenga, Founder and CEO of Chiromo Hospital Group, as well as the Kenya Counselling Professionals Association, Dove International Mental Health Centre, and NACADA, who unpacked mental health trends in the workplace, focusing on finances, substance use, relationships, and the work environment.
“At Safaricom, our employees’ total wellbeing is of paramount importance and mental health has been identified as one of the areas of great concern. Through this forum, we hope to demystify mental health and related issues, and to achieve this, we believe leadership should be at the forefront of the conversation,”
said Paul Kasimu, the Chief Human Resources Officer, Safaricom PLC.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health and private sector stakeholders, including organisations such as the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE), the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM), ABSA, and Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Kenya Airways, and Kenya Healthcare Federation, also unpacked why investing in mental health and support for staff is good for business.
“Today marks the beginning of an important journey towards fostering a healthy workplace. Mental Health continues to be a very important topic that needs to be addressed, especially in the workplace.
At Minet, we believe that a workforce that feels supported, understood, and empowered is not just productive; it becomes the driving force that propels our organization ahead in the competitive landscape,” said Lydia Macharia, Director Employee Benefits, Minet.
Minet has earned its reputation as a thought leader in delivering customized Employee Benefits, with a distinct focus on wellness benefits as a highly coveted solution within the framework of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This program goes beyond the conventional scope by providing employees with the opportunity to access assistance not only for themselves but also for their families, underscoring the company’s steadfast commitment to comprehensive support.
According to the World Health Organization, 75% of employees have experienced a mental health problem at work, with women in full time employment twice as likely to have a common mental health problem compared to men, emphasizing the need for organisations to put in place measures to safeguard the mental health of employees.