Academics from Africa, the United Kingdom (UK), and the Caribbean convene with local community members to address the pressing issue of mental health challenges in schools and broader society. Photos: Lebogang Mathaba
By Hunadi Motlhala – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 720,000 people die by suicide each year, making it the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–29.
In response to this global crisis, and in its commitment to Finding Solutions for Africa, the University of Limpopo (UL) is addressing mental health challenges directly through research and community engagement.
In observance of Mental Health Awareness Week (12–16 May), UL, through its SARChI Research Chairs in Mental Health and Society, and Schools as Enabling Environments (SEE), hosted the 2025 Pan-African Mental Health Research Network (PAMHRN) event in Polokwane. The gathering aimed to nurture international research collaborations, empower early career researchers (ECRs), and promote mental health literacy in local schools.
Funded by the UK Academy of Medical Sciences, the research event brought together members of PAMHRN from Africa, the UK, and the Caribbean, representing a return to in-person collaboration after years of virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have struggled to meet face-to-face as a network. This week-long event allowed us to tackle the critical gaps in mental health literacy—particularly among secondary school learners in sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora,” said Professor Tholene Sodi, SARChI Chair in Mental Health and Society at UL.
He is also serving as a founding member and co-chair of PAMHRN. The research event, particularly its focus on community engagement, aligns with UL’s strategic vision of equipping the next generation with the tools to thrive mentally, emotionally, and socially.
“To truly find solutions for Africa, we must begin by supporting the well-being of young people,” Prof Sodi emphasised.
Performing Arts students at UL deliver an informative play to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health among learners and teachers at Gwambeni Secondary School.
A significant aspect of the event was the visit to Gwambeni Secondary School in the Mopani West Circuit, where researchers interacted with learners, teachers, and parents. This outreach focused on destigmatising mental health and enhancing literacy from the grassroots level. Prof Mahlapahlapana Themane, Research Chair for SEE at UL, highlighted the importance of such initiatives.
Prof Mahlapahlapana Themane, Research Chair for SEE at UL
“Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems in our schools, mental health literacy remains alarmingly low. Through our project, Promoting Mental Health in Places of Learning and Development (the PreHPare initiative), we aim to change this, especially in primary and secondary schools,” said Prof Themane.
Prof Linda Gibson, co-chair of PAMHRN and an academic at Nottingham Trent University, echoed this sentiment: “The well-being of young people is fundamental to their academic and personal development. Our focus on secondary school learners is both timely and essential.”
Dr Damilola Omodara, Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Global Health at Nottingham Trent University, added, “Mental health is as crucial as physical health. Early intervention, compassion, and collaboration can significantly impact our youth.” Dr Tracie Rogers, Lecturer in Sociology, Psychology, and Social Work at the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus, Jamaica), expressed her gratitude for the week-long engagement. “These connections now form the foundation for impactful future work. I am deeply thankful,” she said.
Dr Tracie Rogers with learners during the community outreach at Gwambeni Secondary School.
The workshop had a noticeable impact on the learners. Evidence Zwane, a Grade 11 student at Gwambeni Secondary School, expressed her thoughts: “People don’t usually talk to us about mental health or our feelings. Now, I feel like someone cares. I used to think mental health was only about being sick, but I’ve come to realise that it also involves how we cope with stress and sadness.”
The workshop also proved transformative for UL’s ECRs. Dr Irene Marindi, one of the ECRs, described it as a significant learning experience. “This collaborative initiative has opened my mind to new research methodologies. As an early career researcher, I’ve gained so much,” she said.