Ignite Youth engages innovative approach to mental wellbeing
LocaL based youth centred initiative, Ignite Youth’s annual mental health programme themed #BeautifulScars, made a third appearance at an event to mark World Mental Health Day which was held last week Saturday at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) premises in Harare.
The organisation partnered with several groups, including the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF), which brought on board the film element as a therapy to express mental health components for the 2022 edition, which ran under the theme, Beautiful Scars: Using art, Music, and Film for Mental Therapy. The aim of the theme, according to organisers who spoke with IndependentExtra, is to help people view things they endure through life in a positive perspective rather than a negative one. It reflects on survival, resilience, bravery and courage.
The event had a variety of activities including plenary sessions with guest speakers Rachel Kwainona and Rumbie Ngandini who spoke on the fundamental elements of mental health.
Medication and therapy can be beneficial for some, but many young people who struggle to express themselves end up bottling their feelings and turning to destructive habits so as to relieve their suffering.
art not only acts as a positive anchor within communities but is also a kind of treatment as evidenced when fine artist Nyasha Mutamba led attendees through an art therapy session where they were encouraged to do paintings and drawings as a manner of expressing their emotions.
"Music, poetry, watching helpful films, painting, and other constructive activities provide hope. They are a safe means of releasing tension." said Ignite Youth director, Tadzie Madzima.
The organisation is a one-stop centre whose mandate is to help young people get support while providing them with access to career guidance and coaching. “We offer a purpose centred approach to career guidance by helping young people reach their full potential and to live fulfilled lives. Mental health is one of our core programmes and we provide this in a way that is understood by young people. There are a lot of mental health initiatives but we try to make it fun, engaging, creative and innovative for young people, because we want them to experience mental health therapy and not just hear about it.” added Madzima.
The performances of spoken word poet Tinashe Madawaenda, afro fusion artist EcTS, dancer Elluzhen and others, talked to young people and demonstrated the potency of art as a therapeutic tool for mental health.
The first edition of Ignite Youth’s mental health programme which took place at Highlands Presbyterian church in 2020, had as its theme The Power of art, Music and Poetry for Mental Health.
at the height of covid 19, officials say they adopted the theme, Using creativity as a tool for releasing pain and trauma, as a way of helping people deal with stress and anxiety that was caused by the covid 19 pandemic.
For the past two years, Ignite Youth organisation has put together programmes under the hashtag #BeautifulScars that have featured speakers like Suraiya Essof from Kites for Peace Zimbabwe and ZIFF programmes manager, Rudo chakanyuka, as well as artists Kuda Rice and Yanta Limey, among many others.
The organisation is a one-stop centre whose mandate is to help young people get support and provide them with access to career guidance and coaching. “We offer a purpose centred approach to career guidance by helping young people reach their full potential and to live fulfilled lives. Mental health is one of our core programmes and we provide this in a way that is understood by young people. There are a lot of mental health initiatives but we try to make it fun, engaging, creative and innovative for young people, because we want them to experience mental health therapy and not just hear about it.” added Madzima.