Mental health advocate and artist Tulonga Josef, popularly known as ‘Short Gun’, has come up with an initiative that raises mental health awareness through music.
According to Josef, the ‘Leaving No One Behind’ campaign’ will be hosted countrywide through roadshows, which specifically focuses on youth and men, due to the challenges and vulnerabilities they are faced with.
The campaign is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the United Nations Population Fund and the Japanese government.
“This campaign works to reduce stigma, promote early intervention, provide education, improve mental well-being and contribute to healthier and more resilient men and youth in the country.
“Many mental health issues often emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, therefore raising awareness among the youth helps with early identification and intervention, potentially preventing more severe conditions later in life,” Josef says.
He says having experienced depression and suicidal thoughts, he felt the need to help other men experiencing the same.
“I know exactly what it feels like. I was fortunate enough to overcome depression, but I know many men resort to suicide as a solution.
“We are looking at going to all the regions with the roadshow and our next one will be at Katima Mulilo,” he says.
Present at the launch of the event was the senior health programme officer for mental health at the health ministry, Magdalena Didalelwa, who said: “It is no secret that mental health issues are on the rise, especially among young people and it is a problem which cannot be ignored any longer.
“Academic pressure, for instance, has become one of the leading causes of stress and anxiety among our young ones.
“They face intense competition and immense expectations regarding grades, college admission, and future careers.”
Didalelwa said the rise of social media has also had a profound impact on the mental health of the youth.
She said the effects of bullying could be devastating, leaving victims with long-lasting psychological wounds.
“The stigma surrounding mental health and a lack of awareness of available resources prevent them from seeking help.
“Mental health services are often underfunded and overburdened. This results in lengthy waiting times or adequate support for those who desperately need it.”
Didalelwa said addressing young people’s mental health requires a multifaceted approach.
“It is not a problem which can be solved with a singular solution.
“By creating supportive environments, educating about mental health and advocating improved access to care, we can work towards promoting the well-being of our youth and reducing the prevalence of mental health issues,” she said.
Leave a Reply