By Praise Dlakama
Can a young person really be stressed when their parents pay school fees, provide clothes, food, airtime, and meet all their basic needs? Can they experience depression if everything they seemingly need is already taken care of.
Last month as the world commemorated Mental Health Awareness Month, there was a special focus on vulnerable populations particularly young people. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a young person is defined as someone between the ages of 10 and 24. This group is further divided into adolescents (10–19 years) and youth (15–24 years), with the term “young people” encompassing both.
This demographic faces tremendous challenges as they transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a period of significant academic, social, and emotional development.
In many parts of Africa, however, there is limited attention given to their mental health needs. These are the years when careers, identities, and futures are shaped making adolescence a crucial stage in life. That’s why raising awareness and prioritising mental health during this phase is essential.
I recently reconnected with an old friend, Benson Phiri, who once had a promising football career. He was eager to learn, passionate about sport and academics, and always thirsty for knowledge. He played professionally for clubs such as Highlanders and Bulawayo City. He had the talent and the drive. But somewhere along the way, his career stalled and as friends, we never truly asked why.
It was only last weekend, during a football match, that our conversation shifted to mental health. That’s when Benson opened up about the silent struggles he had faced as a young person struggles that eventually overwhelmed him and caused him to walk away from the sport he loved.
Thanks to my exposure to Grassroot Soccer’s MindSKILLZ programme, I could now recognise the signs of the mental health challenges Benson had experienced. Back then, I lacked the tools and understanding to support him. But now, I see how important it is to raise awareness about adolescent mental health.
When parents truly understand what their children are going through, more young people will thrive. Mental health issues are one of the biggest barriers to success today especially when young people don’t know who to talk to, or when adults dismiss their emotional experiences.
Even young children in early learning environments speak about feeling stressed. They may not fully understand the term, but they certainly recognise the feeling. If five-year-olds can feel stressed, how much heavier is the burden on teenagers navigating school, identity, peer pressure, and an uncertain future?
Importantly, mental health support doesn’t always require a psychologist or professional counsellor. Sometimes, all it takes is a listening ear, a trusted friend, or a parent who genuinely cares. Normalising mental health conversations is vital. Through open dialogue, we learn from others who’ve overcome depression, anxiety, or stress and in those shared stories, we often find the strength to heal.
It is tragic when a young life or career is lost to mental health challenges especially when it could have been prevented. Communities must come together to build awareness and foster a culture of support.
Organisations like Grassroot Soccer are leading this movement. Through its MindSKILLZ media scale-up programme, the organisation is taking bold steps to prevent mental health issues and promote resilience. Using radio dramas, podcasts, social media skits, and printed resources like the MindSKILLZ magazine, the programme reaches both adolescents and their families.
These initiatives are not only informative they’re transformative. Feedback from both young people and parents reveals that the programme is improving communication at home, shifting behaviours, and restoring hope in many communities.
What’s even more inspiring is that Benson has returned to his community to mentor others. As a former SKILLZ Coach, he is now committed to helping young people avoid the kind of neglect he once experienced. His focus is on preparing them mentally so even if they don’t all make it in sport, they are resilient enough to excel academically or explore other opportunities.
Through platforms like MindSKILLZ magazine, young people and their parents are learning to communicate better and make informed life decisions. Parents must remain the first line of guidance offering steady, objective, and protective advice.
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, let us celebrate and support organisations like Grassroot Soccer, which are building a generation that understands, values, and prioritises mental wellness. The wellbeing of today’s youth will determine the future we all share.
At CITE, we dig deep to preserve the stories that shaped us—ZPRA Liberation Archives, the DRC War, and more. These are not just stories—they’re our roots. We don’t hide them behind paywalls. We rely on you to keep them alive. Click here to donate: https://cite.org.zw/support-local-news/