Hilma Nalupe
Namibia has been grappling with an alarming rise in suicide cases, a crisis many believe is tied to unaddressed mental health struggles. In the face of this growing challenge, 20-year-old Mabby Sanandwa, a Level 4 Electrical Engineering (Electronics) trainee at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre, motivational speaker, writer and self-proclaimed mental health advocate and leader, has stepped forward with a message of hope: ‘No one has to fight alone’.
Sanandwa is the founder of ‘Reach Out We Care’, a mental health organisation that became operational this year in April. But her journey began much earlier. At just 17, she founded the organisation after enduring her own battles with depression, anxiety, overthinking, and suicidal thoughts. “When I was at the point of self-rejection, it led to attempted suicide because of the constant pain and trauma. If I could go back, I would tell myself, you are never alone, Mabby, and everything happens for growth, reflection, and realisation.”
Unlike many traditional initiatives, ‘Reach Out We Care’ is not stationed in one place. It’s a mobile foundation that reaches communities through outreaches, workshops, events, and visits. At a recent Mental Health Awareness workshop at the Gateway Conference Centre on June 14, over 25 participants gathered to learn, share, and begin healing together. The event included support from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, with a psychiatrist present to educate attendees and volunteers.
The foundation’s goals are ambitious but urgent: to raise awareness on mental health and suicide prevention, reduce stigma, provide immediate and long-term support to individuals in crisis, and empower communities with knowledge and tools to help them when in distress. Their objectives include establishing a 24/7 helpline, conducting awareness campaigns in schools and workplaces, and setting up support groups and youth clubs across Namibia.
What makes ‘Reach Out We Care’ different is how close it gets to the community. “We don’t just refer people, we reach out. We invite schools, bring children from places like SOS Children’s Village, and ask parents to join their kids. We even leave our contacts after events to make sure people can reach us for help,” Sanandwa said.
Looking ahead, Sanandwa envisions a Namibia where every region has mental health specialists, advocates, and support groups. “In 10 years, we should have established offices open to everyone, support groups in every institution and community, and bigger workshops on national platforms. We want an empire of mental health advocates to help fight against suicide and self-harm,” she says with determination.
When asked what song would describe the movement, Sanandwa did not hesitate to say it’s ‘Stronger by Fearless Soul’. “It’s a fitting anthem for a young woman determined to rewrite the narrative of mental health in Namibia.”
-hilmanalupe@gmail.com