#MyPsychoHealth Campaign: An opportunity with Challenges

When I first see the Facebook post of Youth Connection Center (YCC) about the call for college campaigner for the campaign #MPsychoHealth, It made me think once. It was sound interesting and different.  I checked my time schedule. As it was some different and sensitive topic to work I have been driven to apply.

After selecting from the online application and interview process, I came to know about the campaign duration, aims, and activities that should be carried out by the campaigner. It was not remunerative. It was the Mental Health Campaign led by Youth Connection Center, the youth wing of AYON with the vision of promoting psychological and mental health friendly talks and space everywhere that aimed to create an open space to share one’s mental, emotional and psychological health with an initiative of breaking stigma and stereotypes related to psychological and mental health.

 I was called for 3 days Creating of Campaigner (CoC) session from 23^rd to 25^th August 2019. I was ready for the session and went there. I was surprised that there was only one male participation out of ten selected campaigners and that was me. That made me feel uncomfortable first. YCC representatives and other female campaigners helped me by creating a comfortable environment. The CoC was aimed to create us as a good campaigner. I get to know about the different aspects of mental health, mental health disorders, myths, and facts. It was fruitful. The session was also interesting as it included funny energizers and different group activities.

                                       (Pic: Participating in CoC session)

After completion of the CoC session we all campaigners signed a contract for 6 months. During this time period, we had to complete different work activities regarding mental health such as lead the campaign at our own college, reach at least 3 schools with the campaign, advocacy, 5 community outreach, 5 documentaries or video, 5 blogs or articles, and emotional cup series voluntarily. At first, I felt it will be much work and that may create pressure on me too. As it was completely voluntarily working, I thought it would difficult to manage my own money to travel to different places for the campaign. At the same time, I was involved in other organizations too. So, time management would be more challenging for me. To overcome these challenges, I decided to work on holidays. I also shared these things to YCC members and they also helped me to find a solution.

So I accepted these initial challenges with the hope to learn. There was a keen interest in me to work in the field of mental health. My fieldwork was then started. Firstly, I did a workshop on Mental Health and Stress Management at Samaanta Foundation. The positive feedback of them really made me happy and motivated me. They thanked me lot for the session. Secondly, I brought a #MyPsychoHealth campaign to my own school, Shree Jana Vikash Secondary School in Sindhupalchok where I have completed my grade 8. The teacher's happiness and thankfulness for me made me more confident and proud. Likewise, I did the Mental health and Self Care workshop at Balkumari Basic School, Kapan, Kathmandu. Some students of Balkumari schools are still in touch with me, they shared their feelings with me and still thanking me. Appreciations and positive feedback I get from my coordinator sir, faculty teachers and all participants I was leading a campaign in my own college were the key factors for my motivation towards the campaign. That what I felt I was doing great. We all campaigners used to have communication. The experience sharing among us was itself a learning process. We also did a social media awareness campaign, community works such as awareness programs, public reviews, etc.

(Pic: Mental Health and Self Care workshop at Balkumari Basic School)

There were many learning and other opportunities during campaign time. I could build the network with YCC, Association of Youth Organization Nepal (AYON), co campaigners, schools, colleges, and different communities. I got the chance to explore myself with different schools and community peoples. Conducting a campaign in different places itself a learning opportunity for me. I got an idea that how the workshop can be conducted efficiently and effectively. Finding the mental health problem of individuals, providing them with possible coping mechanism, sharing them with their own story, and getting the feedback from participants regarding the workshop were fantastic moments. I came to understand the perception of school students, college students, teachers and community peoples regarding mental health. I have observed the scenario of mental health especially at rural areas that enhanced my critical thinking level. It was a great chance to enhance my communication, coordination, and leadership skills.

(Pic: Leading the campaign at Nobel College)

However, I faced many challenges while leading the campaign too. Bringing and leading the mental health campaign at college, schools, community and social media was difficult. I should negotiate with the college administration frequently for the time and venue. It was really hard to make them understand about the campaign. The logistics management for the workshop was another challenge for me. Dealing with the participants and controlling them during the session was the main challenge. To make the session more interactive, I should be prepared with many activities and energizers.  

So I consider I this campaign period as an opportunity with the challenges. At last, I want to express my sincere gratitude to YCC, co campaigners, schools, colleges, all participants and my friends who supported me during my campaign period.