Youth-led Mental Health Promotion in South Africa

Abstract

Globally, youth have high rates of unmet mental health needs, especially in Majority World contexts. Youth themselves are well positioned to engage their peer group in mental health provision. The aim of this study was to explore how peer educators could co-produce and deliver mental health promotion in resource-constrained South Africa communities. Six peer educators aged 18 to 24 initially co-facilitated consultation with 209 youth, before designing and delivering three mental health promotion workshops to 179 youth. Peer educators and 21 workshop beneficiaries participated in focus groups on their experiences. Key findings related to involving youth by integrating mental health to community activities, using participatory approaches, applying and transferring knowledge, signposting for further help, and putting support mechanisms in place. In conclusion, youth hold unique expertise in mobilizing their peer group and promoting mental health. Peer educators should be incorporated in service systems, with allocated budgets, training, supervision.