Mental health conference to empower men to be vuln...

Mental health conference to empower men to be vulnerable on this October

Some of the Conference speakers: Adv Arthur Marara, Barry Manandi and Dr Solomom Guramatunhu

Zim Now Writer

Real Men Talk will on October 22 host a men’s conference intended to encourage men to talk freely on issues affecting them, as well as eradicating stigma surrounding their mental health issues.

“The conference is to get men together and talk freely about what is affecting them and giving each other a chance to listen to others. Men fail to rise up when they fall because society has labelled them as strong and as people who can handle anything,” Real Men Talk founder and conference host Henry Bindi told Zim Now.

Bindi who is a health and fitness trainer said that men need to have frank conversations on mental health issues, marriages and parenting. He also said the conference is aimed at empowering men to be vulnerable against a background where they think they are supposed to be strong all the time even when in pain.

The conference comes at a time when suicide cases among Zimbabwean men have raised a red flag on the need to confront mental wellness in a demographic that has been traditionally expected to endure in silence and always come out on top.

The networking event will be held under the theme “Man Arise”, and will have a rich panel comprising personalities drawn from various sectors.

Eye specialist Dr Solomon Guramatunhu, Advocate Arthur Marara, pastor Tinashe Zinyemba, Dr Rukudzo Mwamuka and media personality Barry Manandi will be among the speakers lined up to address the conference. It has been scheduled for the Harare Sports Club.

Manandi commands a wealth of experience in the areas of sports broadcasting, public relations and marketing.

Dr Guramatunhu is a celebrated optometrist with a reputation that goes well beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.

Advocate Marara’s resume includes being an attorney at law, a motivational speaker and an author.

Dr Rukudzo Mwamuka is a psychiatrist and clinical programme expert who has worked with organisations such as Friendship Bench, UNICEF, WHO and ZimTECH.

The discussion is an interactive space that offers a chance to enhance Zimbabwean society through moulding compassionate and well-cultured men.

The program will also provide a well-needed dialogue to educate men on the importance of attending and respecting the girl child and women in general.

The conference is expected to become a regular calendar feature.