I've always wanted to be a better person — not just for myself, but also for everyone around me. By becoming a better person, I believe I can help to co-create a world where people support each other. This simple wish has guided my work in the development sector, even as I grappled with personal challenges that I couldn't understand for years.

From Shadows to Light: A Journey of Healing

This isn't just my story of survival; it's a promise that hope persists, that healing is possible, and that our darkest chapters can lead to our most meaningful purpose. For every youth in Kenya, in Africa, and across the world grappling with mental health challenges: you are not alone. Your life has value, your story matters, and your future is worth fighting for.

Our Step Association, based in Jordan, is dedicated to challenging and transforming the societal stereotypes surrounding mental health disorders. It aims to increase awareness and understanding of the issues and rights faced by people living with these disorders.

Area of work: Empowerment and inclusion of people with lived experiences

My passion for mental health and supporting adolescents began in my mid-teens, a time when young people experience complex physical, emotional, and social changes. As I worked closely with adolescents, I developed essential skills like active listening, which helped create a non-judgmental space for them to share their thoughts and feelings.

My journey into mental health advocacy began in 2018 while working as a community facilitator for the Youth Inclusion Program, a project funded by Mastercard Foundation and Heifer International. Engaging with young people in the field, I witnessed firsthand the challenges they faced with mental health.

In my second year of university, we were studying relationship theories, and I had a revelation: it became clear why I was often in unhealthy romantic relationships and why I shared certain dynamics with my parents. This insight sparked a journey of self-discovery, encouraging me to explore my behaviours and emotions in pursuit of a healthier life.

Since 2017, I have developed a passion for understanding the human mind, emotions, and behaviour. In 2019, I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. It was a dark period for me, but as I began to recover, I promised myself that I would use my personal story and experience with mental illness to raise awareness and support those who are struggling in silence.

Sometimes, life’s greatest challenges reveal our true purpose. Years ago, I watched friends, colleagues, and family members struggle with mental health conditions in various forms. The ordeal of finding proper care—over 200 km away, with few mental health professionals and high treatment costs—exposed me to a widespread issue that many face in silence.

In 2020, while implementing a Key Populations Investment Fund project under PEPFAR, we observed a worrying trend: an increasing number of key populations and young people on ART were discontinuing their HIV services. During a Data Quality Assurance exercise, we connected with healthcare providers and recipients across various health facilities who reported issues with medication, self-denial, and a lack of accessible, friendly services for key populations and youth.

We asked our members to share their journeys and experiences in mental health advocacy, exploring what inspired them to take action, the work they are currently doing, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Here are their compelling stories that highlight their commitment to raising awareness, supporting their communities, and transforming mental health care for those in need.