MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE: A STRATEGIC FRONT FOR PEACE AND STABILITY – P-DDRCS JOINS NATIONAL DIALOGUE IN KINSHASA
Kinshasa, October 30, 2025 — The Democratic Republic of Congo marked a new milestone in its evolving public health and labor policies as institutional actors, public and private sector representatives, and civil society leaders convened for a high-level Roundtable on Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-Being in the Workplace. Held in Kinshasa at Hôtel Sultani and organized by the Mosungi Foundation, this roundtable addressed a critical yet often overlooked dimension of post-conflict recovery: the mental health of workers.
Among the institutions participating, the National Coordination of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Reintegration and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) played a visible and strategic role, reaffirming its commitment to a holistic and gender-responsive approach to national stabilization. Represented by Dr. Jean Pierre Kalombo, Deputy Chief of Staff to the National Coordinator, the P-DDRCS brought forward key perspectives on how workplace mental health directly intersects with post-conflict reintegration, employee well-being, and peacebuilding.
The roundtable sought to assess the current state of mental health in Congolese workplaces, identify structural and psychosocial risk factors, and propose actionable, locally grounded solutions. In a country still healing from conflict, displacement, and economic hardship, the roundtable offered a platform to raise awareness, fight persistent stigma, and promote collaboration between government, business, and health sectors.
The P-DDRCS intervention highlighted the pressing need to institutionalize mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) within public programs, especially those involving reintegration and stabilization efforts. Dr. Kalombo emphasized that psychosocial vulnerability among demobilized individuals and frontline public servants—often operating under extreme stress—should not be treated as a marginal concern. He advocated for integrating psychosocial care, peer support, and stress management tools into workforce development strategies, particularly within state agencies and DDR-related activities.
The event featured several thematic panels. One focused on psychosocial risk prevention, with insights from leading professionals in psychology, organizational health, and emotional intelligence. Another explored how private companies, including Vodacom and Orange RDC, are beginning to embrace mental health as a strategic driver of performance and employee retention. A third panel addressed interventions and care pathways, emphasizing the need for dignity-based, context-sensitive support mechanisms.
A recurrent theme across all sessions was the gendered impact of workplace stress and trauma. Female workers, often bearing dual burdens of professional and domestic responsibilities, face compounded vulnerabilities. In line with its institutional gender policy, the P-DDRCS reiterated the need for inclusive workplace cultures, protective mechanisms against harassment, and leadership opportunities for women within public sector programs and national DDR processes.
As debates unfolded, several recommendations were adopted. These included integrating psychosocial well-being into HR frameworks, establishing listening and support cells within institutions, strengthening training on stress and burnout prevention, and promoting a culture of care and peer support. The outcomes were compiled into two formal submissions: a five-point recommendation memo delivered to the Director General of the National Employment Office (ONEM) and a white paper formally presented to the Minister of Public Health.
The P-DDRCS’s contribution to this national event reflects its broader commitment to peace that heals—a peace built not only through disarmament and security efforts but through attention to the human psyche, workplace dignity, and the social reintegration of all citizens. As underscored by Dr. Kalombo, the health of workers, particularly in post-crisis contexts, is a direct indicator of institutional resilience and national stability.
By joining this roundtable, the P-DDRCS reaffirmed its role as a state-led, forward-looking institution, aligning mental health with national reconstruction, gender equity, and governance priorities. The event concluded with a shared call for collective responsibility, urging all stakeholders—employers, unions, public officials, and development partners—to transform intentions into policy and build a labor environment that supports both productivity and human dignity.
Communication Unit-P-DDRCS
