Date: 4 July 2026
Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR) recognises Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month by promoting open dialogue, support, and wellbeing among men within the organisation and the communities it serves. This year’s engagement was held as a braai at West Sommerton, creating a relaxed environment for meaningful conversations beyond the workplace.
The event also welcomed Sukoluhle Dube from Action Youth, whose work on substance abuse awareness added an important layer to the day — a reminder that mental health and drug and alcohol use are often tangled together, and that talking about one means being willing to talk about the other.
Men's Mental Health
The engagement was intentionally simple and informal, without a formal agenda or presentation. Centred around a fire and shared meal, it created a comfortable environment where men could speak openly and check in on one another. This approach made the West Sommerton gathering effective, as it felt less like an intervention and more like a meaningful conversation among colleagues.
The West Sommerton gathering provided BBR’s men with a relaxed and supportive setting to engage openly beyond the usual work environment. The informal setting encouraged meaningful conversations on work, family, wellbeing, and personal challenges.
The engagement strengthened connections among colleagues and helped create a foundation for continued open dialogue on men’s mental health.
Sukoluhle Dube from Action Youth spoke candidly about substance abuse in Zimbabwean communities — how it takes root, how it's often used to cope with the exact pressures the day was addressing, and what early warning signs look like for the men supporting friends, colleagues or sons who may be struggling.
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BBR remains committed to creating safe spaces.
