Resilience Clubs: Mental Health + Commons for Oshikoto Rural Youth
- Name of your organisation
- ONMETC CC
- Country
- Namibia
- Type of initiative
- Research / Education
- What type of action does your initiative focus on?
- Awareness-raising and communication campaigns
- What kind of support are you seeking from the SoilTribes Community of Practice?
- Policy and advocacy support
- What experience would you like to share with the community?
- n 2016 I lost my brother to suicide. He never got to talk to anyone. He was “strong” until he wasn’t.I’m a teacher, reservist, and now a Certified Life Coach from School of Life SA. But my biggest qualification is this: I know what silence does to a Namibian man.In Oshikoto, we’re taught “be strong, don’t cry”. So men suffer alone. Drink alone. Quit alone. I started “Oshikoto Cares: Men HEAL” because I’m tired of burying brothers.My experience is simple: Healing starts when 1 man says “Me too”. I can’t bring my brother back. But I can sit with the next man at 2am and say “Talk to me before it
- What debate or online activity would you like to propose to your peers?
- Activity: “Olukonda Resilience Club: Be Strong Means Speak Up” - 30 Day Learner CirclesDebate our learners need: “At Olukonda SS, does ‘being strong’ mean hiding problems until exams fail you, or speaking up before you break?” We teach boys to shut up. Then we’re shocked at dropout + drugs + suicide.My online activity for Club Resilience at Olukonda:Grade 10-12 Boys Circles, 8-10 learners each - Small = safe. WhatsApp + after-school voice notes. No shame in front of class.30 Days, 1 prompt daily, 60 seconds - I facilitate as Olukonda teacher + Certified Life Coach using School of Life + WHO mhGAP tools. Ex: Day 1 “Name 1 school stress without fixing it.” Day 15 “Text 1 friend ‘You okay with Maths?’” Day 30 “Say 1 thing you’re proud you didn’t quit this term.”Only rule: Listen > Advice - Learners build resilience when they hear “I get you bro” before “Do this homework”.Why Olukonda needs this: I teach here. I’m a reservist. I’m a Certified Life Coach. I lost my brother in 2016 because he had no circle. I see Olukonda boys carry same silence. “Be strong” is failing them.If 10 Olukonda boys build resilience for 30 days, then 10 homes learn that asking teacher for help IS strength. That’s Club Resilience in our school.Goal: Move Olukonda from “Be strong alone” → “Be strong together”. Phone + courage only. Zero cost for school.
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