By Mfanufikile Khathwane
MBABANE – A mental health awareness session was held at Municipal Council Mbabane Saturday 12 April 2025. Where different youth health organisations in collaboration with Royal Eswatini Police came together to discuss how to help those living with mental health issues.
The discussion also focused on how people with mental illness behave, what causes mental illness, and how society can offer support to people suffering from mental illness.
In many communities, people live with or witness the struggles of those with mental illness. This session aimed to raise awareness and encourage more people to get involved and help others.
Fisokuhle Mndzebele from Unite Against Depression emphasized the importance of youth awareness. He said when young people learn to take care for themselves and others, it builds a better future. “ If we raise enough aweness among ourselves, the current and future generation will understand that what ever they are doing directly or indirectly affect the next person” he said.
He announced that these mental health sessions will now be held every month and welcomed partnerships, especially to help reach rural schools that currently lack mental health support.
Eriel Chalon, a health communicator and student from the Eswatini College of Technology, added that mental health and mental illness must be discussed together.
He further explained that a healthy mind helps people manage stress, but a mentally ill person may struggle with emotions, trauma, or pressure. Chalon linked mental illness to upbringing, harmful cultural beliefs, and verbal abuse. For example, telling a child they are “useless” can lead to long-term mental damage. He said small words and small actions, known as micro aggressions, can harm others, even without meaning to.
He also pointed out that mental health is affected by emotional, intellectual, and environmental factors. If someone grows up in a negative or harsh environment, their mental health is more likely to suffer.
Nothando Matsebula a Health Promotion Officer from the Mbabane Municipal Council also encouraged the public to report potholes, as they can cause road accidents. She mentioned a recent accident involving three cars in Mahwalala caused by potholes.
