By Miss Kwanele Myeni, SAAYC Programmes Coordinator
Mental health is one of the most pressing yet under-discussed issues facing youth today. Silence and stigma have historically made it difficult to speak about issues that young people face daily. Silence is not healing; it’s a barrier. To create a healthier society, we need to ensure that youth can share their conversations around mental health and are supported when doing so, free from judgment.
At the South African Association of Youth Clubs (SAAYC), we do not believe that mental health awareness is just a medical or institutional responsibility; it is a societal responsibility. Youth voices are critical to addressing harmful stereotypes, clarifying what mental health is, and creating a culture where seeking help is not a sign of weakness but courage.
The Importance of Youth Voices in Mental Health
Why do youth voices matter so much in this conversation? Young people experience pressures that are unique to their generation: unemployment, social inequality, stress in academia, and the rise of digital influence. And yet, conversations about solutions often exclude their voice.
By speaking out, young people can:
- Challenge stigma that labels mental health struggles as taboo.
- Enable peer-to-peer supportive environments where youth positively promote the well-being of others.
- Help steer conversations and policies that speak to youth’s lived experiences.
When young people speak, they help to normalise the thinking that mental health, like physical health, is a part of their overall health and well-being.
How SAAYC Creates Safe Spaces for Conversations with Youth
At SAAYC, our role is more than simply advocating awareness; we create spaces for youth to feel safe and validated, and empower youth to speak. Our programmes help break apart fear and stigma and build resilience, empathy, and self-expression.
Some of our key initiatives include:
- Youth dialogues on mental health: invitations for youth to participate in organised discussions about the challenges they face, and what they find helpful or uninformative.
- Peer support networks: individual capacity building to provide emotional support and guidance to other young people in your network and during everyday interactions.
- Community outreach and workshops: tackling stigmas around misinformation and developing a community peer-led initiative about the importance of seeking support early.
These initiatives are designed to promote youth to be active contributors to improving attitudes towards mental health – they should never be a passive presence.
Success Story: Finding Strength Through Openness
One of the young people impacted by SAAYC’s work is Thandiwe M, a high school student who used to internally suffer with anxiety. During the SAAYC mental health dialogues, she found the courage to speak about her mental health and recognised that she was not alone.
“Before SAAYC, I thought I was the only person struggling. I felt isolated and ashamed. However, through these sessions, I found other young people who were experiencing the same thing. I learned that asking for help is not weak or a sign of failure. I now advocate in my school for further mental health awareness and encourage my peers to speak about their struggles.” – Thandiwe M.
This story serves as a reminder about the reality of breaking the silence so that when young people do so, they inspire others to do the same, leaving ripples of healing and change.
Towards a Future of Openness and Healing
Mental health awareness is not simply an event; it is an ongoing movement. Every conversation matters. Every individual story shared can influence perspectives. Together, we can replace stigma with support, silence with dialogue, and fear with compassion.
At SAAYC, we are committed to walking alongside all young people as they drive this change. They are not just the future. They are the present voice of resilience and hope.
“Breaking the silence is giving youth safe spaces, tools, and the confidence to speak, because in their voices lies the ability to heal communities.” – Kwanele Myeni
For more information about SAAYC and our youth mental health initiatives, visit: www.saayc.co.za
#YouthForMentalHealth | #BreakTheSilence | #SAAYC
