Mental Wellness with Miss Nkosi

07/08/2025

WOTD

25/07/2025

Quote of the day

24/07/2025

09/07/2025

Reimagining Development: The Intersection of Mental Health, Youth Advocacy, AI & Inclusive Feminist Action

When we hear intersectionality, many think of policy briefs or theory. Some may link it to trade or politics. However, in the feminist and development spaces I move through, intersectionality is a lived reality. It’s a lens, a language, and a responsibility.

For those who’ve followed my journey, you’ll know my work sits at the intersection of mental health advocacy and international development but it goes beyond outreach. It touches gender justice, climate action, SRHR, and equitable access to wellness across Southern and East Africa.

That’s why, for me, intersectionality isn’t optional it’s essential. We can’t talk about wellness without naming the structural and social barriers in the way. We can’t empower youth without addressing the systems that silence them.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the role of AI in development. One statistic hit hard: only approximately 12% of non-profits use generative AI. Meanwhile, the private sector is racing ahead. (GOMYCODE 2025)

AI can streamline support, improve SRHR access, and extend mental health services but right now, it mostly benefits those with constant internet and digital literacy.

What about those without?

We need inclusive, sustainable AI tools; ones that work offline, speak local languages, and serve the underserved. Innovation that excludes isn’t innovation, it’s injustice.

This is the heart of Mental Wellness with Miss Nkosi. We’re building informed, inclusive mental health ecosystems that reflect cultural context — one young person, one safe space, one local solution at a time.

We must also talk about youth advocacy. Young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow. They are today’s urgency.

Investing in youth means:
• Training & exposure
• Mentorship & skills building
• Soft skills like etiquette, comportment, and emotional intelligence

However, this must be inclusive, decolonised, and gender-sensitive. Etiquette isn’t about conforming to Western norms. It’s about presence, dignity, empathy… grounded in identity.

Over the past year, I’ve learned from African feminist leaders who embody this multidimensional strength! From lawyers, educators, mental health champions and more who live in the “both/and,” not the “either/or.”

So I leave you with these questions:
1. Are we designing for the margins?
2. Using tech ethically and equitably?
3. Prioritising mental health in development?
4. Genuinely empowering youth — or just giving them seats?

Development without mental health is incomplete. Feminism without inclusion is shallow. Innovation without equity is unjust.

Let’s build deeper. Together.

💬 If you’re working across mental health, AI, feminist development, or youth leadership — let’s connect.

05/07/2025

24/06/2025

As it is Men’s Mental Health Month try your best to give a man in your life a shoulder to lean on or a recommendation to some mental health support. We are in this fight towards living and not just surviving as allies to the men in our lives together!

18/06/2025

Mental Health and Unemployment: A Zimbabwean Perspective

Author: Cheryl N. Kutenha (Miss Nkosi)

As some of you may know, I am a certified mental health support worker. Before embarking on this path, I worked in diplomacy and criminal justice. While my career has evolved, my passion for supporting people through difficult life transitions remains unwavering—particularly in the context of unemployment and mental health.

Unemployment is a global concern, but in some countries, its effects are especially acute. Coming from Zimbabwe—a nation where youth unemployment is estimated to be above 90%—having a job is not just a milestone, it is a treasure. Prolonged unemployment often leads to a sense of defeat and disillusionment, especially among young adults. Many choose to forgo tertiary education altogether, perceiving it as a futile investment given the limited economic opportunities available (International Labour Organization, 2023).

In my experience, it is not uncommon to meet young Zimbabweans who are on the verge of mental exhaustion. Chronic unemployment can lead to psychosomatic symptoms, with individuals experiencing physical ailments rooted in prolonged psychological distress. The anxiety surrounding future job prospects is deeply embedded and often debilitating (World Health Organization, 2022).

Another growing concern is the persistent brain drain. For those fortunate enough to secure opportunities abroad, the decision to leave is often made with little hesitation. However, this migration presents its own mental health challenges. Feelings of anxiety, depression, isolation, and identity conflict are common among Zimbabwean youth in the diaspora. The reality of working in menial or low-skilled jobs—despite holding degrees or professional qualifications—can be profoundly demoralising (Chigora & Guzura, 2011).

Migration can offer safety and new beginnings, but it also forces young people to navigate unfamiliar social systems while coping with unfulfilled aspirations. Many experience “cabin fever” and emotional fatigue, especially in societies where they may struggle to find community or recognition (Bhugra, 2004).

I pose this question to my network:
How can we better acknowledge the emotional toll of socio-economic hardship on youth and take actionable steps to support their mental health—both at home and in the diaspora? How do we prepare them for the emotional realities of assimilation while nurturing their resilience?

31/05/2025

Celebrating my 1st year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

20/11/2024

Check out my latest article on Invisible Illnesses published on LinkedIn

25/04/2024

Welcome to my page! I’m Miss Nkosi and I look forward to engaging with you.

As a young entrepreneur deeply invested in mental healthcare and holding CPD certification as a mental healthcare professional, my commitments to positively and persistently impact the African continent are multifaceted and impactful.

Firstly, I am dedicated to increasing access to mental health services across the continent. This involves leveraging technology to provide teletherapy sessions, creating community-based mental health initiatives, and collaborating with local healthcare providers to integrate mental health services into primary care settings.

Secondly, I am focused on destigmatizing mental illness and promoting mental wellness through education and advocacy efforts. This includes organizing online workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns to educate communities about mental health, challenging cultural misconceptions surrounding mental illness, and fostering open dialogue about mental health issues.

Additionally, I am committed to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the mental healthcare sector. This entails supporting and mentoring aspiring mental health professionals and entrepreneurs, fostering partnerships with universities and research institutions to drive innovation in mental health treatment and technology, and advocating for policies that support the growth of the mental healthcare industry.

Moreover, I prioritise sustainability and social responsibility in my business practices, ensuring that my initiatives have a positive impact on the environment and local communities. This involves implementing environmentally friendly practices, supporting local businesses and artisans, and investing in social impact projects that address broader societal issues affecting mental health.

Overall, my commitments demonstrate a holistic approach to improving mental health outcomes in Africa, combining clinical expertise, entrepreneurial innovation, and social responsibility to create lasting positive change.

Let’s connect.