This is not my organisation, but it is one that has helped me. Next Chapter was founded by Tshepang Mahlatsi, along with other students. This is a movement and an organisation that aims to address mental health issues among students and has the sole aim of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. This is done through creating an environment that is welcoming to students going through mental health-related challenges.
What skills and resources were you able to draw from the community for this project?
I was aided and comforted by students who have the same issues as me and who face the same struggles that I do on a daily basis.
The challenges
The aims and objectives of this organisation are to advocate, support students suffering from mental health issues and to break the stigma on mental health. To promote a general awareness of comprehensive “self-health” by emphasizing techniques that care the body as well as the mind. To form a platform which focuses specifically on the causes and effects of mental health at the University of the Free State, while seeking to provide feasible solutions and assistance to students through the office of Student Counselling and Development at the above-named institution.
Addressing the challenges
The organisation has been successful in raising awareness on mental-health and mental-health related issues and has created a platform for students to openly address their issues in an environment which is welcoming and understanding. A lot more awareness needs to be raised all over the country and more sessions with students on a frequent basis need to take place.
The achievements
Students now have a safe environment to communicate and to confront their mental health and they now know where to get help should they feel overwhelmed.
Token Project / Move One Million
Johannesburg, South Africa