Youth Mental Health: Addressing Issues of Depression in Malawi

FRT Thembi Thadzi addressing the youth during the function
Chinsapo Secondary School, one of the school working with Farm Radio Trust on a project Mental Health Integrated Innovations in Malawi which is aimed at addressing issues of mental health and depression among the youth, on Saturday June 07 made a major mental health awareness open day that attracted over two hundred in school and out of school youth within Lilongwe city. The aim was to raise awareness about mental health among the youth, focusing on promoting positive mental health and wellness in schools, enhance the communication between students in school and their teachers and parents at home.
The function was part of a farewell ceremony with Form Four students at the school who have been part of the Mental Health club at the school.
"It’s important to provide a resource specific to those that continue to make the move at their final years of secondary education as they will be moving over to colleges/universities, we are preparing them for any tension they may face where ever they go" said the school club Matron Mrs Liabunya.
Some of the clubs that graced the function were Counselling for Adolescents and Youth Organization (CAYO), Likuni Boys Secondary School, Christian Youth Association of Malawi (CYAMA) and Youth on the Move. All the youth clubs are working with Farm Radio Trust.
This is a major step forward for both, Farm Radio Trust and the clubs under the mental health project in Malawi.

Evidence-based results were demonstrated during several activities that included debates, poems, drama and songs:
·              An improvement on knowledge regarding mental health and mental illnesses among the youth.
·              Increased positive attitudes towards mental illness and people who live with them.
·              Increased capacity to learn how to identify adolescents with mental health problems or disorders and how to link them with appropriate services for help
·              Increased understanding of issues that lead to youth depression


A scene from Drama performed by Chinsapo Mental Health Club
Mental Health officials from Bwaila Psychiatric Unit and St John of God Hospital graced the function and addressed the youth on a number of issues.
"It was very good using this space for the betterment of especially our youths to enhance their chances and possibilities in Life to share some of the opportunities I see once in a while" Said Madalitso Makhalira from Bwaila Psychiatric Unit citing it is very rare to have such opportunities where youth would gather and raise awareness about mental health and depression..

It was a day everyone was told to remember that there are people out there who care about them, including myself, whom one can reach out to and share deepest burnings of the mind. Youth are the least likely to seek out help for a mental illness or disorder, further and sometimes do not understand if they are suffering from depression hence requiring the education. 
Radio 2fm Presenter and Musician The Diktator performing during the event


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