THE City of Gweru has stepped up efforts to address mental health challenges, pledging institutional support for the Queen of Peace Rehabilitation and Crisis Centre following a high-level tour of the facility by councillors and senior management.
The tour, led by the centre’s founder, Stella Khumalo Punungwe, exposed city officials to the day-to-day operations of the institution, which plays a key role in rehabilitating drug addicts and assisting mentally challenged individuals removed from the city’s streets.
Khumalo Punungwe, a public mental health specialist, used the occasion to urge the local authority to prioritise mental health services and provide sustained backing to ensure the centre continues to serve the community effectively.
“Queen of Peace plays a critical role in Gweru. We remove mentally challenged individuals from the city centre, providing them with a safe space, and we also run rehabilitation programmes for drug addicts,” she said.
“For us to sustain and improve these services, we need the support of the local authorities.”
In response, Gweru mayor Martin Chivhoko acknowledged the growing burden of mental health issues and committed the local authority to supporting initiatives aimed at improving community wellness.
“Mental health is often overlooked, but it is a vital part of community wellness. Council will play its part in ensuring this centre gets the support it needs,” Chivhoko said.
He also called on the business community to complement council efforts by partnering with the centre through financial support, material donations, and other forms of assistance.
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The engagement marks a significant step towards collaborative intervention, as local authorities, healthcare professionals, and private players increasingly recognise the urgency of addressing mental health and substance abuse in the Midlands capital.
Queen of Peace Rehabilitation and Crisis Centre has emerged as a critical pillar in Gweru’s social support system, offering hope and recovery pathways for vulnerable individuals battling mental illness and addiction.
