GLOBAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY FELLOWSHIP: MAY - NOVEMBER 2021

WHAT IS YOUR SPECIFIC AREA OF INTEREST IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY?

Stigma advocacy and research advocacy.

WHY IS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY IMPORTANT TO YOU?

As a person with lived experience in mental health and mental illness, it is important to me that I contribute meaningfully to the experiences of others who may be faced with the same challenge. It is my hope that the lessons I have learned and the successes I have enjoyed will pave the way for others to overcome their challenges too.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health in my community has plummeted for many different reasons. There is a high population of students who could not resume their studies for almost two years causing some to fall into depression and others to abuse drugs and alcohol. There are some whose parents lost their jobs during the lockdown periods resulting in increased financial constraints in families and higher levels of stress and anxiety. Even still, there are many who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 and are emotionally and mentally scarred.