Spreading Mental Health Awareness!

Hello!

I am Acha Patandjila- a creative, social justice advocate, and communications professional currently residing in Quebec, Canada. I'm glad to have you here!

In my own journey with mental health, I've realized the limitations of my early education on the topic. Knowing what I know now would have made things much easier. According to a study on mental health disorders in Uganda (Opio et al., 2021), the prevalence rates are striking: 22.9% in children and 24.2% in adults for any mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders prevalent among both age groups. These statistics highlight the pressing need for heightened awareness, improved access to mental health services, and destigmatization efforts.

That's why together with various volunteers from different parts of the world we are changing narratives and working on making mental health awareness accessible to people of different demographics and countries, currently with a huge focus on Uganda. How? You may ask; I am thrilled to introduce you to a project so close to my heart - "Impostor," a short film with a mission to raise awareness about Mental Health within African communities and create open dialogue around it!

Currently to continue the initiative, we host "Mental Health Unmasked" workshop sessions on most Thursdays, creating discussions on mental health topics and personal experiences, to inspire, heal, and grow. These sessions have been active since June 2023, and the community has been quickly growing proving highly beneficial to both regular attendees and newcomers.

Here's your cue: Your financial support is vital in bringing the "Impostor" film to life and advancing our goals in mental health advocacy. Your contribution will directly fund production and post-production expenses, covering essential equipment such as cameras, lighting, and sound, as well as compensating professionals operating these tools. Notably, up to 80% of the project's creatives are volunteering their time, including myself, emphasizing our commitment to community engagement. Thank you for joining us on this impactful journey and for your role in effecting positive change.

“Ubuntu does not mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore is: Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?” (Nelson Mandela)