WATCH: Miss Boksburg finalists focus on mental health and depression

Finalists had to talk about mental health, depression and bullying in schools.

June 19, 2021

Ntombikayise Sibeko 1 minute read

Ndiwanga Muravha shared that people should always be mentally healthy by being around people who love and support them.

Shining a spotlight on mental health and depression, the founder of Miss Boksburg, Faith Gounder, held a mental health workshop on June 12 at New Comet Primary School to create awareness.

Adhering to all Covid-19 protocols, about 85 finalists in different categories, including Miss Boksburg, Miss Boksburg Teen, Miss Bootylicious and Mr Boksburg, presented their findings around the topic to panellists.

The finalists were judged on their public speaking skills, as well as their knowledge of the topic.

Puseletso Manyelo speaking about mental health and depression at New Comet Primary School on June 12.

Speaking during the public speaking session, one of the finalists, Puseletso Manyelo, said depression weighs one down and if not attended to quickly, it can lead a person to commit suicide.

She explained that depression is a mood disorder that can affect a person’s daily life, leaving them feeling sad or angry.

The 15-year-old urged people who are going through depression to seek counselling.

Another contestant, Ndiwanga Muravha, shared that people who are suffering from mental health should keep themselves mentally healthy by treating themselves with kindness, valuing themselves and being around people who love and support them.

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Other contestants also shared their personal experiences of depression as they highlighted the pressure they felt to lose weight.

Gounder said she wanted to a create discussion around this topic because people die silently as they don’t have anyone to talk to.

“The reason we chose the mental health and depression topic was to remove the stigma. By talking about mental illness on a more regular basis as a society, we will hopefully reveal the false stigma that plagues this topic.
“The prevalence of mental health disorders has risen in the past few decades. One study found the occurrences of major depressive episodes in the youth increased from 11.93% to 12.63% in one year.”

Finalists for Miss Boksburg Junior (five to 12 years) also shared presentations about bullying in schools.

Gounder stated the winner of the public speaking session will be crowned as the leader of the year during the finale on October 2.