Mental health key to youth development

ARUSHA: AKILI Tulivu Organisation has urged the government to integrate mental health into national policies and development plans from grassroots to national levels, while ensuring greater youth participation in decisions affecting their wellbeing and future.

Programme Coordinator Elizabeth Milaho made the call on Wednesday while speaking at the 153rd InterParliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Arusha.

Ms Milaho said mental health challenges affected not only young people but also families, communities and, ultimately, the national economy when left unaddressed.

She said participation in the IPU Assembly provided an opportunity to sensitise parliamentarians and policymakers on the need to make mental health a national priority.

“Mental health is not an issue that affects young people alone. It goes beyond youth and can affect economic activities taking place in communities and families, and ultimately reach the national level,” she said.

Ms Milaho urged the government to incorporate mental health into policymaking while giving young people opportunities to participate in discussions and decisions concerning their lives.

She said Akili Tulivu was established in Tanzania to help young people cope with mental health challenges and has continued to expand its services internationally.

The organisation provides young people with a safe and confidential environment to discuss their challenges, with services available in both Kiswahili and English.

Ms Milaho said young people were particularly targeted because they faced various pressures, including economic difficulties, family circumstances and extensive use of digital technologies.

She said young people were among the largest users of digital platforms, exposing them to information and online environments that could affect their psychological wellbeing.

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“We expect these young people to become leaders, policymakers and important members of our societies in the future. That is why we have decided to invest in their mental health now,” she said.

She urged young people not to fear speaking about their challenges or seeking help, noting that fear of judgement could cause problems to worsen.

Ms Milaho also encouraged communities, schools and colleges to openly discuss mental health and create supportive environments for young people.

She said mental health was closely linked to workplace performance and economic productivity because psychological difficulties could affect an individual’s ability to make sound decisions.

Poor decisions, she added, could negatively affect institutional plans, budgets and overall performance.

She stressed that early prevention and intervention were essential to protecting young people’s wellbeing and ensuring they become a productive generation capable of contributing fully to national development.