Parktown Girl Jeanne Namanda Wanyama hopes to open up important discussions about mental health with her peers across the world.
The Grade 11 learner has been announced as a Global Young Leader representing Africa as part of the Human Health Education and Research Foundation (HHERF).
Chatting to the Gazette, Jeanne explained that HHERF started in lockdown to provide health and education to those struggling with mental and physical health issues.
She came to be involved in the organisation after completing an expo project about how to clean up oil spills, where she met a member of the organisation, Kathrin Gnilka.
The Kenyan-born learner has since been involved in the start of the ‘You are heard’ initiative, working with HHERF member Rita Ghrayeb from Dubai to compile YouTube videos addressing youth on topical mental health discussions.
Jeanne explained that the videos are not a form of counselling by experts, but rather a discussion of shared experiences that can be used to help others. “During the lockdown, I had many discussions with friends and realised that my friends were missing out on a lot of social interaction because of not going to school or church… I want to create a discussion where they can realise that they are not alone. There is light at the end of the tunnel and there is help and hope.
“My generation tends to use words to describe mental health conditions lightly. They throw around terms like depression and PTSD without really understanding those topics in depth. I believe that it will be good to make people more aware of these and other conditions.”
She hopes to launch her first YouTube discussion soon and thereafter feature monthly topical discussions which are of interest to her peers.
Speaking about her appointment as a Global Young Leader, Jeanne said she felt excited and honoured that she was found worthy of the role.
Having been involved in the community service society at her school since Grade 8 and volunteered to assist in the feeding programme at St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church in Parkview, Jeanne believes in the importance of giving back.
“I believe that through giving, you can gain so many blessings. Stay positive and always give because you won’t know what you can gain from it.”
Follow the Gazette to find out when Jeanne will launch the series of videos.
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