Destigmatise mental illness

Tafadzwa Chibukwa
A BULAWAYO youth support group is helping people dealing with mental health challenges and donating to the needy.

Founded in June last year, Abangane which means friends, has partnered with organisations like Dignity Africa Foundation, ProYouth, Ignite Youth Organisation and Youth for Innovation Trust among others in advocating for mental health.

Struggling with an undiagnosed mental health disorder for some time was reason enough to start Abangane, a mental health support group in Bulawayo which seeks to provide a safe space for those going through challenges.

20-year-old Mr Zibusiso Munandi from Bulawayo who is also a mental health champion says founding this platform has helped him deal with personal issues that he was not aware of.

Mr Munandi said the organisation has also partnered with local upcoming artistes to help come up with initiatives that help them reach out to people dealing with challenges in their lives and also to reach out to stakeholders that can help them with their initiatives.

“We are not going to come up to the community and say give us money and donations but we want to have initiatives and platforms where people can interact and share their stories,” he said.

He said in the African context, mental health is stigmatised and discriminated against, hence the challenges that people dealing with such issues face as the community is not welcoming.

He said the integration of other public sectors like arts and creatives, which are loved and appreciated by people will help in reaching out and destigmatise and normalise mental health.

Last Saturday the support group had a fundraising event where they invited people to watch a movie at Life Spring Church.

After the movie, there were performances from local artistes, and dialogue was conducted where attendants shared their views on mental health related issues.

Artistes that include Josh Mlotshwa, Quentin Ashborn, Makanaka Chinyange, Garnet Dube, Zvikomborero Nyamandi and Siboe the poet performed at the event.

The fundraiser was meant to raise money funds to buy sanitary wear for women at Ingutsheni Central Hospital.

Mr Munandi said the last time when they donated to the hospital, they noted that the patients there were in need of sanitary wear hence the fundraising.

He said the group is looking to increase knowledge in communities regarding mental health issues.
“We want to incorporate several sectors into mental health advocacy and awareness because there’s a lack of public knowledge and understanding about it,” said Mr Munandi.

“We want to come up with boot camps, cocktails, festivals and activities where people will converse in line with mental health awareness.”
Next month the support group is looking to launch a suicide prevention conference where they will be fundraising for young people who lost their parents through suicide.

– @Sagepapie14