News

All our latest news in one place. Press releases, partner updates and event coverage, all together.

Press releases

Official announcements and statements from CAMHI South Africa about key developments, initiatives and milestones.

South Africa Launches Near-to-Peer Emotional Support Training to Strengthen Youth Mental Health Support

31st March 2026

South Africa — A new Near-to-Peer Emotional Support Programme has been rolled out across South Africa, equipping community members and frontline workers with the skills needed to support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people. As the global demand for youth mental health support continues to rise, children and adolescents in South Africa, as in other counties across the globe, are disproportionately affected by trauma, violence, and limited access

The SNF Global Center Establishes Its Youth Council in South Africa

29th October 2025

Young leaders are driving systematic change in child and adolescent mental health care The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute, is pleased to announce the creation of the SNF Global Center Youth Council in South Africa – a body of dedicated young leaders from seven different South African provinces. Members will meaningfully contribute to the design, implementation, and long-term

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Global Center in Partnership with Radio Workshop Announces Next Generation of African Media Leaders Through Innovative Communicator Fellowship

15th May 2025

The first Cohort of Fellows from South Africa are set to produce original podcast episodes to promote child and adolescent mental health, address stigma and drive evidence-based solutions through bold storytelling NEW YORK CITY, USA, and JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute is proud to announce the first cohort of Communicator Fellows from South

Event updates

Highlights, takeaways and announcements from recent events, trainings and community engagements.

Youth Voices at the Forefront: Reflections from the Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures Conference 2026

17th June 2026

Author: Dr. Mirriam Mkhize On May 18-20, the Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures Conference 2026 (#BIBF2026), the second annual global conference on child and adolescent mental health, was held in Cape Town, South Africa. Convened by the Institute for Life Course Health Research, UNICEF and Karolinska Institute, the conference brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and young people from across the world to explore innovative approaches to promoting child and adolescent

Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures Conference 2026 (#BIBF2026)

1st June 2026

Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures Conference 2026 This May, CAMHI South Africa participated in the Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures Conference 2026 (#BIBF2026), the 2nd Annual Global Conference on Child & Adolescent Mental Health, held in Cape Town, South Africa. #BIBF2026 Read it now The conference focused on youth mental health and wellbeing, with particular emphasis on innovative, youth-centered solutions to address child and adolescent mental health challenges globally. The

Expert Gathering to Spotlight Youth-Led Mental Health Innovations in South Africa

19th November 2025

Led by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the summit features mental health experts and young leaders from South Africa and globally Cape Town, South Africa — The next generation of young changemakers will join mental health professionals and policy experts from South Africa and internationally to fundamentally

Our voices

Real stories about young South Africans who are breaking the silence around mental health.

Advice for the Next Generation of Mental Health Leaders: A Conversation with Tom Osborn Founder of Africa’s Largest Mental Health Provider Shamiri Institute

5th June 2026

Aaliyah Nadirah Madyun, program director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute, recently sat down with Tom Osborn, founder of the Shamiri Institute and an International Advisory Board member at the SNF Global Center. They discussed Osborn’s remarkable journey as a young entrepreneur. At just 18, while studying at Harvard University, Osborn founded the Shamiri Institute, which has

Growing Up in Mohlaletse: Battling the Storms Inside

27th May 2026

Introduction: The Village and Its Silence Growing up in Mohlaletse village, the landscape is beautiful, but the pressures are steep. The hills hold our history, and the air is filled with a strong sense of community. But for young people like me, it is also filled with unspoken rules.In our rustic, yet vibrant environment, one’s struggle is everyone’s business, but one’s pain is one’s own. Peer pressure is not just

The Hardest Moments Are the Quiet Ones

29th April 2026

In South Africa, unemployment is not just an economic issue , it is also a mental health issue. For many young people, the struggle to find work slowly changes how we see ourselves, our worth, and our future. I am 26 years old, turning 27 this July. Since I finished matric, I have never had a stable job. I passed with a Bachelor’s pass, and like many young people, I

The Power of Being Heard: What Dialogue Circles Are Teaching Me About Youth Mental Health

18th March 2026

Young men often say, “I feel like I am failing in life because I cannot find a job.” It is rarely said loudly. Almost as if it should not be said at all. But it is real. Growing up in a rural community, like I did, the pressure to succeed, to provide, to appear strong was everywhere. For many boys and young men, vulnerability is not encouraged—silence is. You are expected to cope. To push

“Nothing Wrong, Bro”: When Young Men Speak Up About Silent Struggles

10th February 2026

A midnight call from a Johannesburg park changed everything. When Shacky nearly gave up, he and Kabir were forced to confront the silent pressures many young men face—unemployment, family expectations, and the demand to “man up.”

Invisible Daughter: Abigail’s Story of Love, Silence, and Survival

15th May 2025

South African youth, through Radio Workshop, turn up the volume on mental health with powerful stories that challenge stigma and ensure every voice is heard. Here are a few of their stories. “It’s like I don’t exist in his life. It’s like Abigail is not there.” —Abigail Maedza Abigail Maedza is 23 years old, and for as long as she can remember, she’s played the role of caregiver in her

Faith, Therapy, and the Fight for Understanding: Ole’s story

15th May 2025

South African youth, through Radio Workshop, turn up the volume on mental health with powerful stories that challenge stigma and ensure every voice is heard. Here are a few of their stories. “People with bipolar don’t process things the way everyone else does, that’s why I feel so misunderstood.” — Ole Mental health struggles are still taboo in many parts of South African society, especially when it comes to complex

Finding the Right Words: Nonhlanhla’s Story

15th May 2025

South African youth, through Radio Workshop, turn up the volume on mental health with powerful stories that challenge stigma and ensure every voice is heard. Here are a few of their stories. “I’ve been looking for words to describe how I’ve been feeling lately… I came across this word, tumultuous. It’s T-U-M-U-L-T-U-O-U S” At just 17 years old, Nonhlanhla Mashabana is facing one of the biggest challenges of her life:

Partner updates

News and stories from our local partners working to improve youth mental health across South Africa.

The Unspoken Toll: Why Exam Pressure Must Be Part of the Youth Mental Health Discussion

16th April 2026

A Conversation with Tatum Redmond and Amanda van der Vyver-Anderson from Community Keepers. Community Keepers is an award-winning organization based in Stellenbosch, South Africa, which works to improve the social and emotional well-being of learners and their caregivers. The SNF Global Center at the Child Mind Institute works with the organization to further advance the comprehensive mission of transforming schools into safe spaces where student well-being is prioritized alongside academic achievement. This includes strengthening

A Gamified Digital Mental Health Intervention Across Six Sub-Saharan African Countries

8th September 2025

Over 700,000 young people across six African countries engaged with Digital MindSKILLZ – Grassroot Soccer and Viamo’s innovative, phone-based mental health game, combining mental health education, skills training, and soccer quizzes. The intervention showed strong reach and acceptability, highlighting the promise of low-cost digital tools to expand mental health support. A peer-reviewed paper on how young people engage with Digital MindSKILLZ – Grassroot Soccer and Viamo’s innovative, phone-based mental health

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