DECEMBER 2024

Student Volunteer Feedback Session

After the excitement of November’s Youth Mental Health Festival, we held a feedback session with our amazing student volunteers at Millennium University.

The session created space for students to share experiences, insights, and suggestions. Dr. Sandra Jumbe facilitated the session, covering event logistics and future planning.

Feedback collected using stickers and QR code-based forms.

Dr. Jumbe and volunteers posing with musician Piksy.

Their feedback is helping us improve future events. Thank you to every volunteer for their commitment to youth mental health!

Youth Mental Health Festival 2024 – A Celebration of Mind & Body!

Held on 9–10 November at Blantyre Youth Centre, hosted by Nicole Kamwendo under the theme “Healthy Mind, Healthy Body”.

DAY 1

Day 1 featured football/netball tournaments with guests like Patrick Mabedi and Towera Vinkhumbo. Workshops and panels engaged youth in mental health conversations.

DAY 2

Day 2 was filled with music, dance, and talks on mental health and creative careers. The finale performance by Piksy was unforgettable!

We’re so proud of everyone who came, participated, and shared.

Good news — We're PUBLISHED!

We’re thrilled to share that our latest article has been published in the ReFrame 2024 Journal by Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI).

Titled “Assessing the Effectiveness of the Mental Health Equity Global Agenda for Low- and Middle-Income Countries”, the piece reflects on our experiences from the MHLeC Project.

The article emphasizes the importance of culturally adapted, community-driven interventions. Read the full article here.

SEPTEMBER 2024

Two Schools. One Powerful Conversation.

This September, we launched MHLeC at Soche Technical College and Malawi School of Government. We’ll be at these two institutions until the end of October.

STC’s artisan students brought enthusiasm and energy, while MSG’s law students held deep and reflective discussions. Together, they showed us that mental health matters to everyone.

AUGUST 2024

MHLeC Goes to St. John Paul II Catholic College!

August brought another milestone as MHLeC reached St. John Paul II Catholic College. Students from diverse fields showed enthusiasm and curiosity from day one.

With high participation, especially from female students, the workshops were filled with thoughtful questions, role plays, and collaborative learning. Thank you for welcoming us so warmly!

JULY 2024

Our first MHLeC implementation at Blantyre Teacher’s Training College wrapped up in July. It was a powerful three-month journey from May to July 2024.

Students attended six impactful sessions, including a powerful closing workshop on Suicide led by volunteer Miracle Masala.

This is only the beginning. We’re excited to build a movement of mental health–literate young people across Malawi!

JUNE 2024

Dr. Sandra Jumbe attended the 2nd ARISE Scientific Conference in Hammamet, Tunisia, where she presented the MHLeC project’s progress to global delegates.

The MHLeC project is the only ARISE-funded mental health initiative in Malawi, among 47 across Africa.

Learn more about the ARISE program

LEEDS

Dr. Jumbe and Mrs. Gloria Chirwa attended the WUN Symposium in Leeds, UK.

They were among a select group of researchers from 14 countries. Gloria was one of 4 highlighted speakers.

APRIL 2024

On 3rd April, the MHLeC team conducted their 3rd stakeholder workshop in Lilongwe hosted by Dr. Ndumanene Silungwe and his team at St. John of God Hospital.

MARCH 2024

On 13th March, Drs. Jumbe and Malila led their first stakeholder workshop in Malawi, exploring telemental health solutions with practitioners and advocates.

Learn more about the project