Safe Space: The Care Shop, Yaounde 3, Yaoundé (2025)

08/09/2025

Happy Birthday, Ms. Serena Yvana! 🎉

Today, we celebrate a remarkable leader and true pillar of Safe Space: The Care Shop Ms. Serena Yvana!

Your thoughtfulness and dedication, from ensuring that every session has refreshments to making sure our meeting space is always set and ready, create the warm and welcoming environment that makes Safe Space feel like home. Your quiet strength, reliability, and care ensure that every gathering runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impact. The personal stories and experiences you share always leave us with valuable lessons that inspire growth and reflection.

Thank you for making sure our mission of healing and connection flows seamlessly. As you step into this new age, may it bring you the same joy, love, and fulfillment you continuously bring to us.

We Celebrate you with love and admiration.

🩵 The Safe Space Team

04/09/2025

🩵 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲, 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐬

On Monday, 4th August 2025, Safe Space: The Care Shop held a mental health session with 38 Open Dreams Summer Academy students at MADA Quality International High School in Yaoundé. The session was facilitated by our Safe Space Program Manager, Ade Serenna

🩵 Setting the Tone
The session began with introductions and a warm reflection exercise where students shared something unique about themselves. A student shared about their story about overcoming addiction, another shared they have been playing piano orally for 7 years, another shared that they do pastries. These stories brought openness, vulnerability, and connection into the space.

The session was broken down into the various parts:

🩵 Part 1: Leadership for Mental Health Advocacy
Students engaged in an interactive discussion around:
✨ What leadership is and who a leader is
✨ What mental health means and why it matters
✨ Who a mental health advocate is
✨ Common mental health challenges
✨ Qualities of a mental health leader

🩵 Group Activity SMART Advocacy Plans
Students were divided into 4 groups and tasked with creating SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound) Mental Health Advocacy Plans along with slogans. The creativity and insight were remarkable! Some slogans included:

🔹 “Healthy Minds, Stronger Futures”
🔹 “Nothing Defines You Better Than You”
🔹 “My Mind, My Strength; Speak Up, Reach Out”

🩵 Part 2: Career Choices
Students explored how to align career decisions with:
✨ Interests, strengths, and weaknesses
✨ Goals and values
✨ Personality types and learning styles

🩵 Part 3: Voices
A thought-provoking discussion followed on "voices" the opinions, advice, and societal pressures that attempt to shape young people’s paths. Students learned how to navigate these voices effectively through:

✔️ Self-reflection
✔️ Critical thinking
✔️ Seeking diverse perspectives
✔️ Trusting their gut and owning their journey

🩵 Part 4: Navigating Failure in Nationwide Exams
Failure is a reality many students face, and this session provided space for candid sharing. Students spoke about supporting friends who didn’t pass exams some of whom had suicidal thoughts. Together, we explored how to:

🔹 Recognize failure without defining self-worth
🔹 Avoid blame and focus on growth
🔹 Seek counseling, mentorship, and new study techniques
🔹 Embrace resilience and community support

Finally they had a:
🩵 Closing Board of Gratitude activity
To end the session, each student wrote one thing they are grateful for and pinned it to our Board of Gratitude a reminder that even in tough times, there is always something to hold on to.

🩵 This was a amazing session where students not only gained knowledge but also demonstrated critical thinking, empathy, and resilience. They left with practical tools to advocate for mental health, make informed career choices, resist societal pressures, and navigate challenges with strength.

We are deeply grateful to Open Dreams Summer Academy Yaoundé 2025 for the opportunity to walk alongside these amazing young leaders. 💙

Africa CDC UNICEF Mastercard Foundation World Health Organization (WHO)

02/09/2025

🕊️ World Su***de Prevention Month | September 2025 🕊️

This September, we join the world in raising awareness for su***de prevention under the theme of One: Reach Out, Listen, Seek Help.

Sometimes, one small action can make the biggest difference.

In Africa, and especially among young people, conversations about mental health are often overshadowed by silence, stigma, and overwhelming pressure.
👉Some young people have recently faced the pain of failing exams: A heavy burden in our communities, where academic setbacks are often met with blame instead of support. For a 14 or 15-year-old, repeating a class or being pressured into a career path they did not choose can feel unbearable.
👉Others are navigating life after conflict or displacement, where instead of being welcomed into school, they face maltreatment, neglect, or abuse in the homes of relatives.
👉Many are struggling silently with expectations they cannot carry alone.

These realities can push young people into deep despair, sometimes leading them to consider su***de. But it does not have to end there.

At Safe Space, we believe that every young person deserves a listening ear, a caring community, and a safe place to share without fear. This month, we will be hosting open conversations in our Safe Space WhatsApp Community — a circle of support where you are not alone.

🔗 [Join the Safe Space WhatsApp Community] (https://chat.whatsapp.com/CyqEw5u2s0R0j8hFl65ai6?mode=ems_copy_t)

If you are feeling overwhelmed, please remember:
🌱 You are not alone.
🌱 Your story matters.
🌱 Reaching out is strength, not weakness.

Let us all commit this month, and beyond, to creating communities where reaching out is safe, listening is intentional, and seeking help is normal.

***dePreventionMonth

20/08/2025

🩵 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅
𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆: 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒄𝒚

On Thursday, 31st July 2025, Safe Space: The Care Shop held a session on "Leadership for Mental Health" with the 40+ students attending the Open Dreams Summer Academy program in Bamenda.The session ran from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM and was facilitated by our Safe Space Community Manager, Kenyaupli Lucien

🩵 Recognizing that the students had a long day and that this was their final session, the session began with an icebreaker: “Write three character traits of yourself.” This helped participants reflect on how they see themselves. It was followed by a round of silly “Would You Rather” questions to bring in laughter and set a relaxed, engaging tone for the session.

🩵 The session’s content and its objectives were discussed with the students before diving in. The session was divided into two parts:

Part 1: Knowledge Sharing and Discussion

Topics covered included:

✨Why mental health matters

✨Mental health disorders

✨Safe Space: what and why?

✨What it means to be a mental health leader

✨Characteristics of a mental health leader

✨Mental health leadership in everyday life

✨How to create Safe Spaces

✨Social entrepreneurship in mental health

Part 2: Group Exercise – Social Entrepreneurship in Mental Health

🩵 The students were divided into eight groups of six members. Each group was tasked with identifying a mental health problem affecting young people, stating:

Who the problem affects

The causes of the problem

Possible solutions

🩵 They were given 10 minutes to brainstorm, after which each group selected one representative to present their ideas. While some groups had overlapping issues and solutions, each brought a unique perspective. Here are the highlights of their presentations:

🔹 Problem: Pressure from parents (comparison) and peers

Solution:

Safe Spaces with meditation sessions

Use of radio programs featuring mental health experts to sensitize parents

🔹 Problem: Domestic violence / children in conflict homes

Solution:

Safe Spaces where children can open up

🔹 Problem: Fear of failure

Who it affects: Young people, adults
Cause: Pressure from family members
Solution:

Mental health advocacy

Encouraging openness

Promoting empathy among family members

🔹 Problem: Depression due to heartbreak

Solution:

Access to counseling

🔹 Problem: Academic pressure

Solution:

Seminars to sensitize parents

Sessions for students to talk and decompress

🔹 Problem: Peer pressure

Causes: Lack of parental attention and support
Solution:

Safe Spaces

Increased parent-child time and communication

🔹 Problem: Career pressure

Issue: Parents forcing children into unwanted career paths
Solution:

Children should express themselves clearly and respectfully

Parents should offer guidance with patience and kindness

Consider promoting children's interests as hobbies instead of shutting them down completed

🩵 After the presentations, the session facilitator congratulated the students for their critical thinking and insightful contributions. She emphasized the importance of taking care of their own mental health and supporting the well-being of others.

🩵 To conclude, students were asked to share personal resolutions inspired by the session. Here’s what some shared:

“I will consciously observe my friends' mood swings.”

“I'll be more inclusive, especially towards persons with disabilities.”

“I'll start posting mental health content to raise awareness.”

“I'll create Safe Spaces where everyone feels heard.”

“I'll begin to open up about the issues I face.”

🩵 It was an amazing session. The students’ critical thinking, thoughtful resolutions, and entrepreneurial solutions showed not only that they learned a lot from the session, but also that they are observant of what’s happening in society.

🩵 A big thank you to Open Dreams for giving us the opportunity to engage with the students during this year’s Summer Academy program. 🌟🧠

World Health Organization African Region Mastercard Foundation Africa CDC UNICEF

18/08/2025

🩵 A day of reconnecting, realigning, and meeting our founder!

✨ On July 26th, 2025, the core team of Safe Space: The Care Shop met for a get-together to kick off the new quarter of the year. It was a one-of-a-kind gathering because the team finally got to meet the visionary founder Mme Joyce Ngaha in person.

✨ We had our very own Safe Space session with her, where we played a fun "Introduce Yourself" game but this time, we had to introduce ourselves in a non-traditional, informal way. It was engaging and full of laughter. We then moved on to a lively round of “Would You Rather” questions.

✨ After the games, we discussed the theme for this third quarter: Leadership and
Community Engagement on the Theme: Leadership for Mental Health Advocacy . We talked about the activities planned, where and when they would take place.

✨ One of the key activities we’re excited about is hosting sessions with the Open Dreams Summer Academy students in Bamenda, Yaoundé, and possibly Douala.

✨ We also reflected on the challenges we, as young people, are facing challenges that are common among other youths as well and explored how we, as mental health leaders, can address these problems and equip others to become changemakers too.

✨ After a deep and thoughtful discussion, we wrapped up the day with snacks, took pictures, and went home feeling honored to have met our founder and to have reconnected with the team after some time apart.

World Health Organization African Region Africa CDC Open Dreams Mastercard Foundation

30/07/2025

Hello Safe Space folks, welcome to the 3rd quarter of our activities! 🩵

This quarter, we’re focusing on Leadership and Community Engagement under the theme:
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲

From July to September 2025, we’ll be building young leaders who are not only passionate about mental health but also ready to take action in their communities.

Here are some of the key activities lined up:

🩵 Leadership training for youth advocates
🩵 Creating safe spaces within communities
🩵 Community project planning workshops to prepare for the new academic year
🩵 Social Entrepreneurship Training
..among many other exciting capacity-building activities!

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 " 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠". It's about developing leaders who don’t just talk about mental health but actively create safe, resilient spaces where others can heal and thrive.

✨ Stay tuned as this quarter’s activities unfold!
🤝 We’re open to partnerships and collaborations.
Mastercard Foundation Open Dreams World Health Organization African Region Africa CDC

23/07/2025

🎉 Happy Birthday, Ade Serenna ! 🎉

Today, we celebrate an exceptional leader and the heart of our operations at Safe Space: The Care Shop our amazing Program Manager, Ms. Ade Serena Mangwi!

Your commitment to excellence, from drawing up our program of activities right on time to assigning roles that ensure everything runs smoothly, keeps our engine running. Your leadership, attention to detail, and calm coordination make every initiative not just possible but impactful.

Thank you for being the dependable force behind our work in creating safe and healing spaces for young people. May your new year be filled with the same joy, peace, and strength you bring to us every day.

With gratitude and admiration,
💚 The Safe Space Team

18/07/2025

🎉 Happy Birthday to our amazing Community Manager, Lucien! 🎉

You’re the reason our stories get told, our team stays connected, and our page never goes quiet. You always show up🥰, not just with content, but with care. Whether it’s checking in on students, sending updates even when things get busy, or stepping up to represent us at events—you do it all with heart, and we don’t take it for granted.

Just yesterday, you defended your thesis and walked away with an A grade, officially becoming the newest biomedical engineer in the city—and we couldn’t be prouder! You’ve worked so hard for this, and you did it with the same humility and grace you bring to everything you do here. ♥️🎓

Thank you for showing up, for being dependable, and for giving your best—even on the tough days. Today, we celebrate YOU. 🩵🫶

21/06/2025

Hello Safe Space folks 👋🏽
How's our "Mental Health"?

Mental Health Awareness Month is over, but are we going to stop talking about mental health?

Absolutely not!!!
Why?
Because mental health is an everyday priority. 🧠💚

The month of May was "General Mental health awareness month and this month of 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 "𝐌𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡"

"Let’s talk about Men's Mental Health today!"

𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐎. 𝐋𝐄𝐓’𝐒 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐈𝐓. 💬

By default, society has made some definitions which are sometimes detrimental to groups of people. One of these definitions is that “males are meant to be tough and never show weakness.”

Sometimes this definition leads to silent struggles. 🤐💔

Males are often told to “be tough” and hide their feelings. But keeping pain inside only makes it heavier.

They face stress, sadness, and loneliness just like anyone else but many suffer quietly because showing emotion is seen as weakness.

📌 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬:

Crying doesn’t make you less of a man 😢

Feeling low doesn’t mean you’ve failed

Talking about it doesn’t make you weak it makes you brave 💪🏽

If you’re struggling, know this: it’s okay not to be okay.
Asking for help takes real strength. 🧍🏽‍♂️🗣️🧠

Let’s change how we talk about men’s mental health.
Let’s listen without judgment. Let’s show up with compassionate. 💙

What’s one thing you wish people understood about men and mental health?
Drop your thoughts below 👇🏽💭

By our Safe Space: The Care Shop volunteer Kenyaupli Lucien

10/06/2025

Commemorated Mental Health Awareness month in Style!

🩵 On Saturday 24th of May, Safe Space: The Care Shop had their very first physical meeting in Bamenda 🎉🎉

🩵 We partnered with Her Blueprint Africa to host a Mental Health Awareness Workshop to commemorate May as Mental Health Awareness month, bringing together participants from secondary school to University level.

🩵 The workshop kicked off with an opening prayer and warm words of welcome, setting a reflective and supportive atmosphere. Participants were asked to introduce themselves with adjectives which starts with the first letter of any of their names so that, that'll be the name they'll be referred to throughout the workshop. We had, Lovely Lourdes, Friendly Firdausi, Amazing Annick etc
After that they were guided through an interactive ice breaker activity of “Who Am I?” where they shared fun and unique facts about themselves, sparking laughter and connection.

🩵 Then we moved to the highlights of the workshop which was a session on
📌 Understanding Mental Health by a Safe Space facilitator, where she:
⚪ Defined what mental health is with respect to the WHO definition.
⚪ Outlined the Stigma and stereotypes surrounding mental Health
⚪Outlined some mental health disorders such as mood disorders, eating disorders etc
⚪ Outlined practical ways to practice self-care.

It was an interactive session, participants were allowed to share their thoughts on each subtopic before the facilitator moved to the next. After that
🩵 Participants were guided on
📌 Creating a Wellness Action Plan (WAP) a tool to practically help them take care of their mental health.
The WAP a list of "Dos and Don'ts" to guide one to maintain good mental health.

🩵 After Sessions , we had another ice breaker which was called a "complimentary circle " participants were asked to compliment the next person sitting beside them, it went round in a circle. This was aimed to remind everyone of the beauty of encouragement and affirmation.
After this exercise we were drawing to the end of the workshop so

🩵 Participants shared some amazing feedbacks of what the event was to them.

One participant shared that the session helped them understand that mental health is not just about illness, but also about taking care of their emotional and psychological well-being. They expressed gratitude for finally having a space where they could talk openly without fear of judgment.

Another said that the ice breaker on "Who am I ?" helped them reconnect with who they are and reminded them of their strengths. They appreciated how the workshop encouraged self-expression in a supportive environment.

A participant noted that the complimentary circle was their favorite part of the day, as it made them feel valued and seen by others. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of community and kindness.

Another highlighted how the workshop deepened their understanding of mental health and helped them realize they are not alone in their struggles a message that resonated deeply.

Overall, participants expressed a desire for more frequent workshops and conversations around mental health, emphasizing the need for ongoing support and safe spaces for young people.

🩵 After hearing the feedback from participants, the workshop was concluded with words of appreciation from the facilitator to participants for attending and to the two communities who organized the workshop.
Participants and facilitator took pictures, followed by meal fellowship. It was a moment of fun and refreshment.

🩵A big thanks to everyone who took out time to attend the workshop, your presence made the day wonderful. A huge thanks to Safe Space and Her Blueprint Africa for organizing the workshop.
We’re proud to continue fostering these conversations.

📌 Let’s keep Creating the Awareness, one safe space at a time.
Open Dreams World Health Organization (WHO) UNICEF Africa CDC @

31/05/2025

Celebrating another May born in the community – Happy belated birthday Ms Abuambou Evodia Ruth ! 🎉

🩵 Ms. Evodia, your dedication to Safe Space speaks volumes. You are always ready to take on any task with a willing heart and a calm spirit. Whether it's travelling to represent the community or carrying the Safe Space mission wherever you go, your commitment is constant and inspiring.

🩵 You have a rare gift for capturing every detail when writing reports, it paints a picture for those who weren't present. That level of attentiveness is priceless.

🩵 We especially want to celebrate your efforts in coordinating a mental health workshop with the Open Dreams pre-scholars in Douala during the Summer Academy. You led it single-handedly and made a lasting impact. That is the kind of leadership that defines you.

🩵 Thank you for being such a vital part of the Safe Space family. May this new year of your life bring fulfillment, peace, and even more opportunities to shine.

We celebrate you, Ms. Evodia! 💛

30/05/2025

Happy Birthday, Ms. Tata Joysline Nene! 🎉

🩵 Today we celebrate not just your life, but the amazing heart you bring to our Safe Space community. You are always eager to step up, take on tasks, and represent us with pride and purpose.

🩵 Thank you for your selflessness, dedication, and the love you pour into everything you do. Your presence is a gift to this community, and we’re so grateful for you.

🩵 Wishing you a year filled with joy, growth, and everything you hope for. Keep shining, Ms. Joyseline you truly make a difference!

Safe Space: The Care Shop

08/09/2025

04/09/2025

02/09/2025

20/08/2025

18/08/2025

30/07/2025

23/07/2025

18/07/2025

21/06/2025

10/06/2025

31/05/2025

30/05/2025

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