Apish’s Story

Hi, everyone. My name is Apish Tshetsha co-founder of Waves for Change from Cape town, South Africa.

In South Africa only 4% of South Africa's health budget is committed to mental health. We have a massive treatment gap. In Khayelitsha, a large community with more than one million people, there's only one psychiatric  hospital with five mental health nurses.

Children in the township experience a huge amount of toxic stress, violence and limited access to caregivers. Children are at risk for substance abuse, anxiety and depression. Surf therapy fuses the rush of surfing with evidence-based mind body therapy. It strengthens social connections, develop coping skills and respite.

Global Mental Health Action Network help us to share research with global mental health donors, researchers and other organisations. We can influence prevention and promote services for Children. I'm passionate about mental health because I want to create a safe space for Children with toxic stress.

Together we can make a difference.

Simunye Sisonke

[Together as one]

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