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I currently hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Community Psychology, both from Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. For my PhD, I am enrolled at the University of Zimbabwe under the Department of Applied Psychology, and my doctoral thesis is titled “Domesticating the World Health Organization guidelines for mental health at work in Zimbabwe”. I plan to work with Friendship Bench, a nonprofit organization in Zimbabwe that employs task-shifting health workers to provide problem-solving therapy to primary care service users, as a case study. My motivation to engage in community work stems from a desire to develop person- and worker-centred mental health innovations and solutions. I believe that through meaningful engagement with our target community and other relevant stakeholders, we can increase the likelihood of developing interventions that address the needs and priorities of the work community.
Current Community Engagement Project
The name of my CPE project is Your Mind at Work (YoMind@Work), and it includes three major engagement activities that will be carried out in Harare, Zimbabwe.
- Theory of Change - This will be a multistakeholder engagement workshop that brings together participants from various sectors and disciplines (i.e., policymakers, clinicians, researchers, academia, nonprofits, and workers’ unions). The theory of change will aim to develop pathways for transforming mental health at work and creating healthier work environments.
- Hot and Cold Workshop - This will involve a live drama performance (The Hot), followed by a structured discussion (The Cold) on mental health at work, specifically for health workers. The drama will be based on data collected from a situational analysis of Friendship Bench, a non-profit organization that utilizes task-shifting health workers in delivering psychological care for common mental disorders in primary care.
- Mental Health Expo - The expo will aim to bring together various organizations to showcase their workplace wellness programs. The theme of the expo will be “Mental Health”. It will also feature a marathon, dance music, and other fun activities.
These activities will be complemented by key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys to facilitate more in-depth engagement.
