Mental health remains a taboo subject; frequently characterised, surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding. It is often perceived as just another topic until it impacts us or someone close to us. I recently travelled to a rural town in the south of my country, for my internship. It was a joint trip, consisting of individuals from different sectors. One of the individuals we travelled with was a social worker that we dropped at the local clinic. I was quite surprised to see a line of pupils who are all in primary school, waiting for the social worker. The school principal had invited her to talk about mental health.

Of course, I did not get to understand the specific issues due to confidentiality, it however got me thinking about the challenges these young people might be facing. An experience that highlighted a crucial gap; mental health is something that can affect us all, regardless of our geographic location. These pupils, standing in line for help, was an indication and powerful reminder that rural communities are often faced with limited support systems and lack adequate mental health awareness. Mental health issues can be invisible, and everyone has their own coping mechanisms. I have recently learned that, just because someone carries it well, it does not mean that it is not heavy.

Prioritising mental health initiatives that reach all corners of our communities is essential as it ensures that no one is left behind. Mental health awareness, education is a collective responsibility to achieve the changes we wish to see. Initiatives should not happen once a year or in response to crises. We should not wait for the consequences of poor mental health to make the necessary changes. More so, since mental health is not typically taught in schools, and often children are not provided with the tools to understand or recognise a mental health problem. Indeed, incorporating mental health education into school curricula can equip learners with skills to manage mental well-being.