GLOBAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY FELLOWSHIP: MAY - NOVEMBER 2021

WHAT IS YOUR SPECIFIC AREA OF INTEREST IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY?

Legislative advocacy.

WHY IS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Having a lived experience of a mental health condition is a journey I walk every day of my life and I am managing. I would love to be a source of inspiration to fellow young people with psychosocial disabilities. As a service provider, as a psychologist, and human rights defender, I would love to offer quality, accessible and youth friendly mental health services.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

Mental health faces a lot of stereotypes and associated with retrogressive cultural beliefs. Those with mental ill-health face a lot of stigma and most do not seek for services. There is no facility in my community offering mental health services and many suffer in silence. Suicide and institutionalisation is the only indicator of poor mental health.