BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE – HMCS officers joined students, mental health professionals and members of the public in a 4km walk through Ezulwini on Thursday, turning every step into a call for open conversations, support and healthier minds.
Hosted by the Eswatini College of Theology Psychology Association of Students (ECTPAS), the Mental Health Awareness Walk was held under the theme “Breaking Silence, One Step at a Time: Let’s Walk and Talk for a Healthier Mind.”
The walk began at the college premises, passed through Ezulwini town and returned to the college, where participants took part in aerobics and a wellness discussion focused on mental health.
For HMCS officers, the event carried particular significance as correctional work can involve demanding and emotionally challenging environments.
Their participation also reflects the department’s broader focus on the wellbeing of its personnel. According to HMCS, its developmental programmes include Psychological Services, Social Work, Chaplaincy and Education for offenders, officers and their immediate families, with counselling offered through both individual and group sessions.
HMCS also lists Mental Health, Wellness and Stress Management among its in-service training areas, demonstrating that mental wellbeing forms part of the department’s staff development and support framework.
The importance of speaking before struggles become overwhelming was emphasised during the wellness session.
Velile Ndlovu of the Eswatini Psychology Association encouraged participants to open up about their challenges and seek assistance when necessary, stressing that people should not suffer in silence.
Wonderboy Dlamini from the National Psychiatric Referral Hospital highlighted the link between mental and overall wellbeing.
He pointed to financial difficulties, gambling, relationship problems and conflicts among issues that can affect a person’s mental wellbeing, encouraging those who need professional assistance to make use of available mental health services.
The National Psychiatric Referral Hospital in Manzini is a specialised mental health facility, while mental health services are also incorporated into some primary healthcare settings in Eswatini.
Athletics Eswatini representative Ncobile Dlamini connected physical activity with mental wellness, telling participants that “a healthy mind makes strong legs.”
Her message captured the spirit of the morning: looking after the body and looking after the mind should not be treated as separate responsibilities.
ECTPAS Vice Chairperson Zakithi Nsibandze applauded those who took part and encouraged participants to keep creating spaces where people can speak freely about their experiences while supporting one another.
The walk comes at a time when mental health and emotional wellbeing have increasingly become part of conversations within HMCS. In September, the department held a prayer and reflection service after concerns about emotional distress among officers, with its leadership encouraging officers to talk about their struggles and seek support.
The message from Thursday’s walk was therefore simple but powerful: sometimes the first step towards healing is being willing to speak.
Source: His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) Facebook page; HMCS official website; National Psychiatric Referral Hospital/Ministry of Health information.
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