Johannesburg, October 2024 – South Africa is facing a growing mental health crisis among its youth, compounded by the nation's high HIV prevalence. Recent data shows that the mental well-being of young South Africans is under severe strain due to multiple factors such as poverty, social pressures, and the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to recent studies, 10-20% of South African children will develop a mental health condition during their childhood. Youth aged 15-24 are particularly vulnerable, facing stressors ranging from exams and peer pressure to financial hardship and relationship difficulties. Bullying, social media pressures, and societal expectations are often cited as major contributors to mental health challenges, leading to outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and even suicide attempts.

Despite this, access to mental health care remains a significant barrier. In the public sector, there are only 0.28 psychologists and 0.32 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, with services being even scarcer in rural and underdeveloped areas. For the majority of young South Africans, mental health support is simply out of reach.

HIVSA, in collaboration with RNW Media and New Momentum, launched WeCare, a digital community aimed at fostering peer support and collective emotional resilience among South Africa’s youth. WeCare is designed to help young people share their mental health challenges openly in a safe space, with the support of their peers, particularly focusing on issues such as resilience, coping with grief, managing stress, and strengthening social connections.

The initiative taps into the digital spaces where young people already interact, using platforms like Facebook and Instagram to share user-generated content, promote peer support, and provide moderated discussions. This effort aims to address the mental health challenges young people face by making mental well-being conversations accessible, non-preachy, and relatable through storytelling, art, memes, and interactive content.

“Our goal with WeCare is to create a digital community where young people feel safe to talk about their emotional struggles, lean on each other for support, and ultimately strengthen their collective emotional well-being,” says Neo Mohajane, Programme Director. “By using familiar platforms and engaging content formats, we can make mental health conversations more approachable and supportive.”

Additionally, HIVSA's Choma magazine continues to play a pivotal role in providing mental health support for adolescents and young women, particularly through its online safe spaces and peer support initiatives. Through Choma, young South Africans can access mental health information, engage in digital counselling sessions, and learn how to manage their emotions and well-being in a supportive community.

As South Africa confronts the dual burden of mental health and HIV, innovative solutions like WeCare offer a critical lifeline to young people struggling with emotional distress. By addressing mental health as a fundamental part of overall health, HIVSA and its partners are leading the charge in fostering environments where young people can thrive, free from stigma and empowered with the tools they need to care for their mental well-being.

For more information or interview requests, please contact:

Palesa Khambi

Group Marketing Communications and PR Manager,

HIVSA 083 641 4120 | 011 494 1900

khambip@hivsa.com

About HIVSA

HIVSA is a non-profit organisation established in 2002 that partners with communities, individuals, and organisations to address socio-economic and health challenges related to HIV and AIDS. Through programs like Choma and WeCare, HIVSA seeks to build resilience and improve mental well-being among young South Africans.