APIA: Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has underscored the importance of targeted interventions for mental health challenges, particularly among the youth, during her address at the Commonwealth Youth Forum. The forum is part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) currently taking place in Apia, Samoa.
According to South African Government News Agency, Letsike leads the South African delegation at the 2024 CHOGM, which is convened under the theme ‘Our Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth.’ While speaking at the youth forum, Letsike emphasized that promoting physical and mental health among the youth is a basic human right and a top priority for South Africa. However, she noted that existing mental health policies often fall short in meeting the needs of young people due to inadequate implementation.
Letsike shared insights into South Africa’s National Youth Policy, which proposes various intervention
s to promote mental health. These include compulsory physical education to encourage a healthy lifestyle, the provision of recreational facilities such as gyms and sporting facilities, and the establishment of community-based psycho-social services to address social issues like substance abuse, crime, and discrimination. Additionally, the policy advocates for increased awareness of therapy and counselling services, especially in disadvantaged and rural communities.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted the need for community-based mental health institutions and the introduction of confidential, toll-free services accessible to youth seeking counselling. These services, which were widely promoted during pandemic lockdowns, should be expanded and implemented beyond the pandemic to offer immediate responses in cases of mental health crises.
Letsike called for comprehensive and consistent interventions that adequately address the mental health needs of young people. She emphasized the necessity for collaboration
among professional counsellors, psychologists, and communities to dismantle power imbalances and discrimination. She warned of the consequences of failing to protect youth mental health, stating that it could impair their opportunities for meaningful participation in society.