Lusaka Mayor Urges Openness On Mental Health, Calls for More Support for Victims
Lusaka Mayor, Ms. Chilando Chitangala, has urged members of the public to speak openly about mental health challenges in order to access appropriate support. She noted that both Lusaka and Zambia at large continue to experience a rise in mental health cases, underscoring the importance of encouraging people to seek help for any issues affecting their wellbeing. Speaking during a courtesy call by the Healing Apostolate of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi to her office this morning, the Mayor called on leaders and communities not to overlook mental health concerns, emphasising the need to offer support, particularly to women and children, who are among the most affected. She reaffirmed her office’s commitment to collaborating with the Healing Apostolate and other organisations nationwide to assist individuals in need of mental health services. The Mayor commended the Apostolate for providing a safe space where vulnerable individuals, including mental health patients, survivors of abuse, victims of gender-based violence and marginalised community members can express their concerns and receive support. Ms. Chitangala revealed that the Lusaka City Council is currently working with Bloomberg Philanthropies to promote Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs), commonly known as Olofare, to address issues such as gender-based violence and mental health, helping children grow with a strong foundation in rejecting harmful behaviours. She explained that ECDCs will play a vital role in instilling awareness of these dangers at an early age, which is the most formative stage for children to learn and internalise positive values. Meanwhile, Apostolate Coordinator Sr. Bupe Chileshe expressed the organisation’s desire to establish a strong partnership with the Mayor’s office to explore effective solutions to the growing mental health crisis, which she said disproportionately affects young people. Sr. Bupe added that collaboration between the Mayor’s office, the council and other organisations would enhance outreach efforts to individuals affected by issues such as child labour, abuse, mental illness and the need for counselling services. This is according to a press release issued by Bulumba Nyambe, Assistant Public Relations Manager at the Lusaka City Council.
Bishop Kasonde Commends Sisters’ Work in Solwezi Diocese
By Sr. Nasilele Simushi OP – Ndola CNCS Hub Bishop Charles J.S. Kasonde of the Catholic Diocese of Solwezi has commended the Sisters serving in the diocese for the impressive work they do in the church. He said this during the Mass of the exchange visit of the Zambia Association of Sisterhoods (ZAS) Sisters from the Archdiocese of Ndola to the Sisters in Solwezi. He said a diocese cannot fully respond to the various needs of the people of God without the involvement of Sisters, hence the need to have Sisters in dioceses. “Sisters you are a beacon for the Diocese,’’ said Bishop Kasonde. He also likened the Sisters to flowers that attract different insects for sap. Additionally, Friar Ferena Lambe OFM encouraged the Sisters to take time for recollection days, to reflect and contemplate on their lives to improve their well-being, during a presentation talk under the theme, “Wellness of the Consecrated Women.” “The world is on the move and everyone is busy, therefore, Sisters are not exempted from this reality. We suffer burnouts of various kinds and this affects our overall well-being,’’ he said. Friar Lambe urged the Sisters to take good care of themselves if they are to remain effective in their ministry. Meanwhile, Sr. Annie Kambafwile, a Franciscan Missionary Sister of Assisi and Solwezi ZAS chairperson, expressed gratitude to the Sisters for the collaboration shown between the two dioceses. She further thanked the Sisters for the initiative of this exchange visit, as it serves as a channel of learning from one another.