A Youth-led community movement, House Of Arts Association has created a platform to raise awareness and combat mental health issues through art.
By Nthokozo Gudu
The organization believes that through art, the highest expression of self, an individual can rediscover themselves, free themselves, hence creating a world that heals everyone in any way possible, in the process spreading awareness on mental health to young people as it helps them build positive social, emotional,intellectual and communication skills.
Recently House of Arts Association(HAA) in collaboration with the U.S Embassy, screened a documentary that showcased the significance of sports and the abundant opportunities that await young individuals through their active participation in various sporting activities. This was followed by a discussion which gave room for the young people to express themselves.
In an interview with the Founder and Executive Director of HAA Casper Chigama ,he expressed concern on mental health challenges affecting young people.
We do different programs where we are capacitating young people by engaging and mobilizing organizations and individuals who are into sport, arts and advocacy.We did this as a foundation to educate the youths on what is mental health, the mental challenges and the solutions which come with the issue.
“It was important to us as an organization to engage with the Ministry of Health and Child Care in understanding if there are policies which surrounds mental health issues.’’ said Chigama.
Chigama also highlighted that the movement gave grants to individuals and organizations who had initiatives which addressed mental health issues,
“After the capacitation, we also had to give funds and support to youth led organizations we trained and other individuals who had ideas and initiatives which addressed mental health issues. We gave these grants so that these people who are in Sports, Art and Advocacy can do their processes as long as its raising awareness in mental health because as HAA, we cannot do everything but can create platforms, spaces and opportunities for organizations in raising the alarm on mental health.
‘’Mental health is our new area which we have ventured into right now hence giving support to who are already in this field by sponsoring these initiatives,some did sporting activities,drama,events and Sports against mental health issues,however we also have another initiative called sports against drugs where we are also working with youth led organizations in raising awareness on drug abuse.”
Following the screening of the documentary which was done in collaboration with the U.S Embassy, the Embassy said they also use film to promote community dialogue,
‘”Courtesy of the American Film Showcase, the Public Diplomacy Section uses film to promote community dialogue. Screening the film ‘Queen Of Basketball was an effort to engage youth in marginal communities. The post screening discussion was insightful as participants were able to share their lived realities in as far as participation in community sport is concerned,’’ Butholezwe Nyathi, U.S Embassy Engagement Coordinator said.
