BY BONAKELE MABUZA
MBABANE– The Unite Against Depression (UAD) organised an informative session on mental health awareness on Wednesday (June 5, 2024) at Woodlands High School.
The session aimed to raise caution about mental health and provide students with knowledge and tools to take care of mental wellbeing.
According to UAD Project Manager Fisokuhle Mndzebele a lot of students are experiencing anxiety, depression and stress due to various reasons such as academic pressure, family issues and social media.
He said a number of school going students suffered in silence because they were afraid to report abuse. Under the slogan, ‘Do not be quiet and watch, report suspicious conduct!!!’ he stated that victims of abuse should voice out and seek help to combat depression.
When making his remarks, Mndzebele urged teachers to be kind enough toward students, so they could feel free to report any kind of abuse they could be facing. “Teachers, please warmly welcome students when they want to report about emotional issues,” he said.
Nothando Dlamini and Nomvula Tsela, who are the social workers and volunteers of the Youth Leardership and Transformation Organisation (YOUTHLET), encouraged the youth to take care of themselves, through personal development. They emphasised on the importance of using their skills and talent to make money for livelihood.
Dlamini encouraged people, especially the youth, to consider starting businesses, in order to try and combat poverty, which was the main cause of depression. “Starting a business can help cope with issues of depression, which is mostly centred around money,” Nothando said.
In an interview with YOUTHLET Founder and Director Paul Nkambule, he said they were committed in serving and empowering young people with leadership and entrepreneurship skills and expertise to become better leaders for tomorrow and generate positive change in their respective communities and societies. “The organisation’s mission is to enable youth to participate in the economic growth and development,” Nkambule said.
