Zimbabwe OCD support group, anxiety and depression

23/06/2025

At EmStan Aftercare and Empowerment Centre in rural Zimbabwe knows that young people is more than just a responsibility—it’s a deeply fulfilling calling. Through structured guidance, heartfelt connection, and consistent support, we help young people navigate life’s challenges while unlocking their full potential.

Our work centers around creating safe, nurturing environments where youth feel seen, heard, and empowered. We don’t just offer advice; we walk alongside them, encouraging resilience, confidence, and purpose. Whether it's through life skills training, emotional support, or opening doors to new opportunities, we’re committed to shaping futures rooted in dignity and hope.

This journey brings us peace because it is transformative—not just for those we mentor, but for us as mentors too. Watching young people rise, thrive, and lead their communities forward is the most rewarding outcome we could hope for.

09/06/2025

DISABILITY-RESPONSIVE BUDGETING
As leaders of organizations advocating for disability rights, we were invited to a pivotal workshop on Disability-Responsive Budgeting, hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in collaboration with Sight Savers. The event brought together representatives from various organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), providing a crucial platform for engagement and advocacy.

One of the key facilitators was the Ministry of Finance, which guided participants through the budget cycle, ensuring that OPDs understand when and how to make their voices heard in financial planning. This framework was particularly significant in strengthening the participation of persons with disabilities in budgetary discussions, ensuring their priorities are integrated into national resource allocation.

A critical aspect of the discussion centered on the specific challenges faced by persons with psychosocial disabilities, a group often overlooked in budgetary considerations. While many OPDs focused on assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and braille equipment, we emphasized the importance of access to appropriate medication as an essential form of assistive support for individuals with psychosocial disabilities. This shift in narrative helped treasury officials recognize that accessibility extends beyond physical tools to include health-centred interventions that enable independent and meaningful participation in society.

The workshop was insightful and fulfilling, reaffirming the importance of inclusive budgeting as a mechanism for equity and social justice. Seeing the recognition of psychosocial disabilities in these discussions was a significant step toward ensuring that mental health needs are properly addressed in Zimbabwe’s national budget.

02/06/2025

LEAVE NOONE BEHIND
I am deeply committed to educating church women on mental health, bridging the gap between faith and emotional well-being. While many believe that prayer alone can resolve life's challenges, I engage them through thought-provoking dialogue that fosters self-reflection and personal growth. By asking strategic questions, I guide them to uncover their own insights, empowering them to recognize the complexities of mental health and the importance of holistic support. My approach not only strengthens their faith but also equips them with the tools to navigate life with resilience and understanding.

24/05/2025

LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND. Incorporating teenage mothers into mental health care services in my rural area of Zimbabwe is essential. Teenage mothers frequently experience stigma, discrimination, educational deprivation, and a lack of livelihood skills, resulting in postpartum depression, early marriages, and poverty. How can we assist them in overcoming these challenges? We are happy to have started this conversation with the Chief, the councillors, Village Heads, school representatives, church leaders, Community Health Leaders, the Nurses, representatives from ZINATHA, and other stakeholders.

15/05/2025

13/05/2025

Having spent my early years in a rural setting, I deeply appreciate the natural beauty and cultural richness of our countryside. However, I am also acutely aware of the challenges faced by rural communities, particularly the isolation, stigma, and discrimination associated with mental health issues.

The growing concerns of substance abuse—once predominantly a challenge in urban areas—are now affecting rural youth, leaving families distressed and searching for solutions. Mothers, in particular, express their anguish as they witness their sons falling into destructive habits. Alongside this, the issue of teenage pregnancies continues to impact young girls, often limiting their opportunities and perpetuating cycles of hardship.

In response, many parents ask a pressing question: How can we address these urgent issues within our rural communities? This question is frequently directed to me, reflecting a widespread need for guidance and intervention. The challenge is ensuring that mental health support, substance abuse prevention, and educational resources reach rural populations, who are often overlooked in broader social initiatives.

It is crucial to explore solutions that bridge this gap, fostering awareness, support systems, and sustainable interventions to uplift and protect the well-being of rural communities.

13/05/2025

Having spent my early years in a rural setting, I deeply appreciate the natural beauty and cultural richness of our countryside. However, I am also acutely aware of the challenges faced by rural communities, particularly the isolation, stigma, and discrimination associated with mental health.

The growing concerns of substance abuse—once predominantly a challenge in urban areas—are now affecting rural youth, leaving families distressed and searching for solutions. Mothers, in particular, express their anguish as they witness their sons falling into destructive habits. Alongside this, the issue of teenage pregnancies continues to impact young girls, often limiting their opportunities and perpetuating cycles of hardship.

In response, many parents ask a pressing question: How can we address these urgent issues within our rural communities? This question is frequently directed to me, reflecting a widespread need for guidance and intervention. The challenge is ensuring that mental health support, substance abuse prevention, and educational resources reach rural populations, who are often overlooked in broader social initiatives.

It is crucial to explore solutions that bridge this gap, fostering awareness, support systems, and sustainable interventions to uplift and protect the well-being of rural communities.

25/04/2025

The Heart of Mentorship: A Journey in Mental Health and Growth

Being a mental health lived experience expert is more than a title—it is a calling, a commitment to guiding others through life’s complexities. It is a responsibility that stretches beyond mere conversation; it is about listening deeply, understanding without judgment, and offering wisdom rooted in experience.

Mentorship is a bridge, linking generations through the sharing of knowledge, love, and support. It is an embrace of many roles—a mother’s warmth, a sister’s companionship, a daughter’s understanding, an aunt’s wisdom. Through these connections, the young find their footing in the world, learning to navigate life’s trials with strength, resilience, and grace.

Mental well-being is not just about the absence of struggle, but the presence of balance—physical, emotional, and spiritual. To live fully is to nurture all aspects of oneself, to embrace self-care, mindfulness, and personal growth. And in guiding others, a mentor also learns—discovering new perspectives, fresh insights, and the infinite depth of human experience.

Every conversation holds a lesson, every interaction a chance to uplift, empower, and inspire. To pass on knowledge is to shape the future—to be a lighthouse in the storm, illuminating the path toward a life of meaning, purpose, and well-being. And that, in itself, is the true beauty of mentorship.

25/04/2025

I got 100 reactions and comments on one of my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉

14/04/2025

Drug and Substance Abuse, aftercare and empowerment

To raise awareness of the existence of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Anxiety Disorders (AD)

10/04/2025

April Specials

To raise awareness of the existence of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Anxiety Disorders (AD)

15/03/2025

Our organization is dedicated to assisting individuals who have completed rehabilitation programs and exhibit non-violent behavior in their reintegration into society. We strive to provide them with the necessary, and guidance to successfully transition back into their communities and lead fulfilling lives. CALLS FOR MORE INFORMATION