Youth urged to speak up on mental health

Young people have been urged to prioritise their mental wellbeing, with a warning that staying silent about emotional struggles could undermine their ability to build businesses, innovate and contribute to Malawi’s development.

Speaking during the Mzuzu Youth Open Day on Saturday, National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) Chief Executive Officer Rhoda Gadama Misomali said good mental health is essential if young people are to realise their potential and seize opportunities in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Gadama Misomali said many young people face pressure from unemployment, business setbacks, family expectations and social media, making it important to seek help instead of suffering in silence.

“We need your ideas. But we need you to be alive, healthy and whole to deliver them,” she said.

Gadama Misomali: youth we need you alive

She stressed that discussions on youth empowerment should not focus only on funding and business opportunities, but also on mental wellbeing.

“We can’t talk about economic growth without talking about wellbeing. The pressure is real, business failures, job rejections, family expectations and social media stress,” she said.

The NYCOM chief said conditions such as stress and depression should be treated as health issues rather than signs of weakness.

“Stress and depression are not weaknesses. They are health issues. Seeking help is not giving up, it’s levelling up,” she said.

She encouraged young people experiencing emotional or psychological challenges to seek professional support, including through Chipatala Cha Pa Foni and youth-friendly health centres.

On entrepreneurship, Gadama Misomali said the innovations displayed during the open day showed that young people are already shaping Malawi’s future economy.

“This is not just an exhibition. This is Malawi’s future economy in one place. Every booth here is a job created. Every product here is a problem solved,” she said.

She added that government is supporting youth-led enterprises through the Youth Innovation Fund and that a partnership between NYCOM and the Malawi Bureau of Standards will help young entrepreneurs certify their products for wider markets.

Mzuzu City Council Chief Executive Officer Gomezgani Nyasulu said the open day gives young innovators a platform to showcase their ideas and connect with institutions that can help them grow their businesses.

“The future of the industrialisation of this city is in the hands of these youths. When I see different innovations being showcased like today, I see that the growth of this city is inevitable,” he said.

Chairperson of the Mzuzu Youth Open Day Organising Committee, Ellina Kanyenda, said the event met organisers’ expectations and created opportunities for networking, marketing products and building partnerships.

The event attracted hundreds of young people, youth organisations and stakeholders from across the Northern Region to showcase innovations, exchange ideas and explore business and investment opportunities.