Youth Empowerment a Solution To Mental Health Issues

Empowering the youth socially and economically is said to be the most important element in resolving some of the challenges contributing to an increase in number of mental health complications leading to suicide cases.

This observation has been made following a sharp increase in number of suicide cases among youths who mostly lose hope after confirming their HIV positive status.

Speaking over the weekend during an interaction with youths from 18 Children’s Corner Teen Clubs around Thofu in Mzimba district operating under the Livingstonia Synod Aids Program (Lisap), Senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University of South Africa, Dr Juliet Nyasulu said mental health and nutritional issues needs to be prioritized in the reduction of suicide cases among youths.

“We are losing many youths due to mental health related challenges resulting into suicide cases because we did not acknowledge and consider mental health and nutrition to be given a priority in the fight against socioeconomic challenges.” Nyasulu said.

In her remarks, LISAP Project Officer, Towera Kondowe said inadequate psychosocial counselling interventions in the communities has led to loss of many lives among the youths because of failing to accept their HIV status.

“Psychosocial counseling interventions are not adequate to those with HIV positive status leading to mental complications mainly in hard to reach areas, there is a huge need for more trainings,” Kondowe said.

Meanwhile, 110 vulnerable households around Thofu Zone have been identified to be assisted with fruit trees procured using a K4 million social fund sourced from the Medicine and Health Sciences Development of Stellenbosch University apart from supporting Children’s Corner Teen Clubs with toys and sports equipments.