DBN puts staff mental health at the forefront of operations

Staff mental health prioritised at DBN
As part of its ongoing commitment to champion employee mental health, the Development Bank of Namibia held a workshop this month, emphasising that this effort is part of a sustained focus, not just a one-off initiative.
Patricia Coetzee
  • 5 Days Ago
The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) hosted their employee mental health workshop on 18 October as part of their DBN C.A.R.E.S initiative, a series of targeted employee wellness interventions planned for the financial year.

The workshop was in recognition of World Mental Health Month, commemorated globally every October.

“The aim was to raise awareness, create a safe environment for employees to discuss mental health, understand its impact on themselves and others and provide solutions for seeking support and maintaining a healthy mental state,” DBN chief human capital officer, Sara Kapiye, explained.



Staff mental health a priority

Kapiye added that the bank temporarily closed all its sites to ensure full participation in recognition of the importance of the employee-focused initiative.

She stressed that employee health and wellness is a key strategic focus for the bank.

“We recognise that employees are individuals first, with unique wellness needs that directly contribute to overall business sustainability and performance,” said Kapiye.



A genuine approach

She noted that the bank is committed to fostering a culture of genuine care through continuous, intentional efforts, not just a once-off event and this is strongly supported by the DBN chief executive, Dr John Steytler.

“The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for employees to learn strategies for managing stress, fostering positive outlooks and supporting one another. At DBN, mental health is a priority, and this session served as a critical step in investing in our collective well-being,” said Kapiye.

Furthermore, Kapiye said the workshop was well-attended by DBN’s employees and created an open, honest and authentic atmosphere.

She said feedback during and after the workshop showed that it was a much-needed and enriching experience.