Communications | Kisa Program | 29th March 2024
In the Kisa program, scholars have the unique opportunity to meet with health professionals twice a year, choosing topics that resonate most with their lives and experiences. Through the Kisa Program we empower young women by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to thrive and uplift their communities. At the very beginning of the year, Kisa Scholars from Mlangarini Secondary School chose to discuss the topic on mental health and mental illness. While mental health awareness is increasing, misunderstandings and misinformation can often cloud the topic. The session provided a much-needed platform for Kisa scholars to gain clarity and overcome misconceptions, setting them on a path toward resilience and informed self-care.
Before starting the session, we were curious to know why the scholars chose this topic and what they already knew about mental health and mental illness. Most of their responses showed either misconceptions, limited information, or no knowledge about the topic at all.
Theresia, a Kisa Scholar, shared her thoughts on why the topic felt new to her: “I am excited to learn about mental health because I hear so much about its impact, especially when I’m on social media. I was surprised to hear that people can die or even hurt themselves due to mental health struggles. Before this, I thought health discussions were only about physical pain, but I now understand it’s even more than that.” Doreen Andrew, another Kisa scholar, had her own curiosity about mental health. “I used to think mental health issues were only for people who were mentally disturbed—those we see in public who might look unwell,” she said. “But I started hearing that mental health issues can happen to anyone, even me. I wanted to understand how and why.” This session was designed to help scholars like Doreen and Theresia gain accurate information and understand what mental health truly is, how to recognize signs of mental struggles, and ways to care for their mental well-being.
Leading the discussion was Dr. Alex, a health expert who shared important information on mental health. For many young people, mental health challenges are part of daily life, yet understanding them can be difficult. Dr. Alex gave a powerful explanation of mental health, describing it as the ability to keep a calm and stable mind despite daily challenges. Mental illness, on the other hand, happens when these challenges become overwhelming, leading to struggles like stress, anxiety, or depression. He discussed many of the factors that can impact mental health, including relationship issues, academic pressures, family problems, and even negative influences from social media. Negative comments and peer pressure also add to these stresses.
The session included real life examples and discussions on staying mentally strong, and the scholars left feeling empowered and informed. Theresia found the session to be a turning point for her. “I learned so much about handling challenges,” she shared. “Now I know I should focus on what really matters and stop comparing myself to others. Madam Deborah also reminded us to live within our means, set our own goals, and work hard for a better future so we may not be stressed with wanting to do what others do on social media.”
When we asked Doreen Andrew, who initially thought mental health was only about mentally disturbed people, how the session impacted her, she said, “Now I realize that mental health issues can affect anyone, even people who look fine on the outside. I’ve learned to treat everyone with respect because I don’t want to add to anyone’s stress and cause more damage. We don’t always know what others are going through.”
Rose, another Kisa Scholar, found new tools to manage her own mental health. “I didn’t realize that stress from school could impact my mental health. Now I know I can use personal outlets, like writing poems and listening to music, to manage stress. I can’t wait to share this with my friends!”
Kisa Scholars participating and presenting during the session
As these Kisa scholars prepare to transition to university, this session has equipped them with tools to manage their mental health and recognize the value of a positive mindset. With support from the Kisa program, these young women are now ready to meet life’s challenges head-on and bring mental health awareness to their communities. Through open conversations like these, Kisa Scholars are empowered to grow, stay mentally strong, and inspire positive change.
