Breaking the silence, prioritising mental health

Mental health is just as important as physical health – don’t neglect it! Break the stigma, speak up, and prioritise self-care. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional for support. Let’s work together to create a culture of openness and healing

This was the message shared by stakeholders during a Mental Health Awareness event held at Ha Pita in January 31, 2026.

In this interview, theReporter’s ‘Mantšali Phakoana, set down with the event’s organiser, Motšelisi Ntšasa, who took us through issues surrounding mental health.

Tell us about Global Shapers Maseru Hub and its role in mental health issues.

Global Shapers Maseru Hub is a youth-led community of changemakers in Maseru that is part of the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum.

It brings together young people — usually between 18 and 30 — from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about social impact, leadership, and community development. The hub designs and implements practical projects that respond to local challenges such as youth empowerment, mental health, education, climate action, gender equality, and civic engagement.

We have realised that you hosted a mental health awareness event under the theme: ‘Cells and Brain’. What was the purpose of the event and what strategies were discussed to address mental health stigma in Lesotho?

Mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, yet it is often misunderstood, neglected or stigmatised. The event sought to raise awareness about mental health by exploring the connection between the human brain, the body’s cells, emotional well-being, and spiritual health.

The objectives of the event were to broaden education about mental health, reduce stigma and misconceptions, promote healthy coping strategies, encourage help-seeking behaviour, as well as create a safe space for dialogue.

To address mental health stigma, we must educate, humanise, normalise, and speak openly — with compassion and cultural understanding. We must promote help-seeking as strength, engage community leaders and support families and caregivers.

How does the theme relate to mental health?

The ‘Cells and Brain’ theme explains mental health by showing that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are rooted in biology, not weakness or choice.

The theme highlights the connection between physical body and mind. The cells represent the biological foundation of the body, while the brain represents thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Together they emphasise that mental health is a whole-body experience.

Mental health starts at the cellular level. Our bodies are made of cells, including brain cells (neurons). These cells communicate using chemicals and electrical signals. When this communication is balanced, we function well. When it’s disrupted by stress, trauma, illness, substances, or genetics, mental health challenges can arise. The brain controls how we feel and think. It is the control centre for emotions, memory, behaviour, and decision-making. Conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are linked to changes in how certain parts of the brain function — not a lack of faith, discipline, or intelligence.

How can cultural context influence mental health discussions and support?

Instead of dismissing the beliefs that mental health challenges are sometimes spiritual, ancestral, or supernatural, we should encourage collaboration between professionals, traditional healers and churches so people get holistic care. There is a strong cultural expectation to endure and not openly express emotional pain. This can prevent people from talking about depression, trauma, or anxiety especially affected men and young people.

Therefore, it is important we reframe help-seeking as wisdom and strength, not weakness. Also, mental illness is often hidden to “protect” family reputation making seeking help difficult to individuals with this challenge, so we should provide family-centered education, not only individual counselling.

What role can local leaders play in promoting mental health awareness in the country?

I think it’s time local leaders play a role in promoting mental health awareness by becoming the champions themselves. They should lead by example, that is by sharing their own struggles to show that mental health can affect anyone regardless of status, profession or faith. Leaders may advocate for resources and policies and also protect and support the vulnerable to ensure that they are not excluded, abused or discriminated against.

How does the Global Shapers Community Maseru plan to follow up on the event’s outcomes in Lesotho?

After a successful project, we expect impact reporting, community sharing, internal evaluation, future planning, and celebration of contributions, aligned with how the Global Shapers model works globally. The hub also monitors the outcomes, looking at signs like reduced stigma, increased awareness, and greater willingness to speak openly about mental health challenges. Lessons learned are documented to improve future mental health initiatives.

In addition, Global Shapers Maseru Hub shares follow-up stories and impact updates, showing how the project continues to influence lives even after the main activity has ended.

Finally, where possible, the hub supports sustainability by encouraging peer-support groups, empowering local champions, and exploring ways to expand the project to other communities. However, since we have a project in the Hub that aims to address mental health issues, especially in youth, we particularly have these activities lined up to help “Shaping Mental Health” in Lesotho:

•community storytelling sessions

•Social media campaigns

•Awareness raising campaigns

•Interactive games

•Emotional educational workshops in youth centers across the country

We are definitely hoping to partner with more relevant stakeholders, ministry of health, development partners and local communities to make more impact.

What mental health resources are available in Lesotho for those who need support?

People should stop treating Mohlomi Hospital as something to be scared of. The hospital is for everyone who feels they can’t handle it on their own. We also have many organisations that can help out with mental health issues. I absolutely don’t have to dwell much explaining where and how one can get help, I know people know, they just aren’t ready to deal with what will people say syndrome.

How can schools and universities in Lesotho integrate mental health awareness into their programmes?

Biology as a scientific subject may already be tough for many students to understand, and the fact that mental health stems from biology is often overlooked. Many assume mental illness is just one’s carelessness to take better care of themselves, or perhaps an extreme moral failure, whereas it’s absolutely common in biology. So mental health can be integrated into programmes by providing free sessions to students. Integrate topics like emotions, stress, self-esteem, and brain health into Life Skills, Guidance, Biology, or Religious Education.

Learners must be taught how the brain, emotions, and behavior are connected.

Schools should address common myths and stigma early and this will help learners understand that mental health is normal and biological, not shameful. Also, they can create safe spaces for expression and promote emotional well-being by:

• Establishing peer-support clubs or wellness clubs.
• Holding regular check-in sessions or group discussions.
• Using art, writing, music, and drama as healthy outlets for emotions.
• When learners feel safe to speak, they are more likely to seek help.

How does socioeconomic status impact mental health in Lesotho, and what can be done about it?

In Lesotho, socioeconomic hardship — especially poverty, unemployment and inequality — is closely tied to mental health struggles. Many Basotho live with economic uncertainty, limited job opportunities, and food insecurity, all of which increase stress and psychological strain. This leads to a vicious cycle: economic hardship worsens mental health, and untreated mental health challenges can make it harder for someone to work, study or remain socially connected, reinforcing poverty and isolation. Therefore, strengthening social support systems, expanding mental health services into local clinics, educating communities, and creating jobs — especially for young people — can help break the cycle between economic hardship and poor mental health.

How can mental health awareness events like this one contribute to reducing stigma in Lesotho?  

The fact that it was youth led, even elders see things in a lighter way. So, we can not only fuss when these kinds of events are done by big figures, letting peers hold conversation about such matters definitely help in comprehensive awareness. However, having professionals stamp on what we do and say, also helps a lot in dealing with hard nuts to crack.

What steps can individuals take to prioritise their mental well-being in Lesotho’s context?

Individuals should take care of their mental health by talking openly, maintaining healthy daily routines, staying connected to their communities, managing stress in positive ways, seeking help early, and challenging stigma. It’s time the sayings like: “Monna ke nku ha lle”, “mosali o ngalla motseo”, and “ule monyane tjee una le mathata” should halt. Anyone can have problems and it’s okay to cry when in agony. Mental health is everyone’s responsibility anyway.