Teenagers in Eswatini have attempted suicide at a rate of 15%, as they reported feelings of anxiety, depression and self-dissatisfaction. The Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (SEPARC) reports that poor mental health affects 8,229 people in Eswatini, with young people between the ages of 15 and 35 accounting for 40% of these cases. Despite the lack of national statistics, small-scale studies indicate that substance misuse and emotional distress are prevalent. Here is information about the mental health challenges of Eswatini’s youth.

The Mental Health Challenges of Eswatini’s Youth

A lack of economic prospects, recreational facilities, support systems and violence are all major contributors to worsening mental health among young people. UNICEF reported that 35% of Eswatini’s youth are neither employed nor enrolled in education or training, increasing the likelihood of engaging in risky behavior, resulting in adverse mental health outcomes. 

Violence detrimentally affects children’s development, cognitive ability and academic performance, leading to issues such as low self-esteem, emotional distress and depression. About 79% of children between the ages of 1 and 14 have experienced physical violence. Among adolescents, 32% of males between the ages of 13 to 24 reported experiencing physical violence in their lifetime. Meanwhile, 5.5% of females in the same age range reported experiencing violent incidents occurring before the age of 18.

How Violence Exacerbates HIV/AIDS in Eswatini

Furthermore, violence is a significant driver of HIV/AIDS, as it increases vulnerability to risky behaviors through trauma and its impact on emotion regulation. Among young people with a history of violence, the prevalence of HIV was 7.4% for females and 3.4% for males. In comparison, the HIV positivity rate for those without such experiences was 6.4% for females and 3.3% for males.

The country’s 27% HIV prevalence rate among individuals aged 15 to 49 further compounds the mental health challenges that Eswatini’s youth face, placing it among the highest globally. The dread of disclosure, which underscores the necessity of expanding disclosure programs for those who provide care with more comprehensive support for adherence and addressing mental health concerns, emotionally burdens Eswatini’s youth. The potential negative consequences of disclosing their HIV status to their spouse were a source of concern for 75.3% of HIV-positive men and 23.4% of HIV-positive women between the ages of 13 and 24.

Fortunately, some organizations like UNICEF and Education Plus are promoting change through institutional support and policy. Meanwhile, local organizations such as Young Heroes are focusing on vulnerable communities.

UNICEF’s Mental Health Support for Eswatini

UNICEF reached out to young people through social media and discussions to share information about mental health, sexual health, gender-based violence and violence against children in collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These efforts allowed 1,782 young people to access mental health support.

Collaborating with Junior Achievement Eswatini (JAE), UNICEF implemented a Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship Skills Program, helping 3,005 adolescents and providing opportunities through economic empowerment, allowing them to reduce engagement in risky behaviors, thereby lowering the likelihood of experiencing adverse mental health outcomes.

In partnership with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF supported teen clubs and mother-baby pairs clubs offering psychosocial support, counseling and health education. These initiatives have helped more than 13,350 young people access information on mental health, sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention. 

Education Plus

A partnership of UN organizations leads the Education Plus Initiative. The initiative is a high-level global advocacy effort aimed to improve access to education, health care and economic opportunities, promoting stigma-free health care services. These efforts enable young individuals with HIV to seek help in a more supportive environment, reducing the likelihood of adverse mental health outcomes due to fear of discrimination.

The initiative safeguards adolescents by addressing fundamental needs and providing mental health care. Since a lack of recreational resources often lead to risky behaviors that undermine mental health, Education Plus aims to provide free secondary education for both girls and boys by 2025 to address this issue.

Furthermore, the initiative equips young people with the tools to achieve financial independence and stability. This is achieved through social protection, school-to-work transitions and economic empowerment. By fostering hope for a better future, it increases the likelihood of reducing the percentage of young people at risk of self-harm.

Young Heroes

Young Heroes is a charitable organization that aims to empower vulnerable youth and their caregivers in Eswatini through local initiatives. The organization collaborates with leading international partners, offering psychological support, social safety and prevention of gender-based violence. Programs for youth emphasize the importance of education, counseling, HIV-related support and treatment.

Young Heroes’ Sabelo Sensha project aims to increase mental health and resilience among Eswatini’s vulnerable young people. To support this, the project provides HIV treatment adherence assistance, counseling, support for caregivers, group referrals, positive parenting training, educational subsidies and socioeconomic empowerment programs.

Young Heroes supports disadvantaged children in Eswatini through Stepping Stones Sessions, which provide educational initiatives. Sessions teach essential life skills and offer opportunities for personal development. Babazile Bhila, a 20-year-old who endured psychosocial struggles and poverty, said Young Heroes’ Stepping Stones changed her life. Indeed, Babazile is now funded by CANGO’s Halt Project for her education. She thanked Young Heroes for enabling her to reach her full potential.

In August 2024, Young Heroes and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs formed a partnership through Legal Aid Eswatini. This partnership is a critical step in addressing the vulnerabilities that children and adolescents face. Through this partnership, organizations will collaborate to mitigate the social and legal obstacles that Eswatini’s youth are encountering. Furthermore, this will foster greater emotional security and mental well-being.

Looking Ahead

Addressing the mental health challenges that Eswatini’s youths experience requires a multifaceted approach that includes mental health support, economic empowerment and community-based activities. However, the initiatives of world-renowned organizations demonstrate that there is hope for a better future for Eswatini’s youth.

– Imge Tekniker

Imge is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons