Stellenbosch University (SU) student, Zenith Kwinana, aims to tackle the harmful stigmas surrounding mental health in her debut collection of poetry, Made of Light, published at the end of March.
“Mental health issues are so prevalent in our communities, especially amongst young people,” said Kwinana, in a recent Instagram post.
Made of Light is only the first of many projects Kwinana is working on to create awareness, encourage more conversations and break stigmas surrounding mental health, Kwinana said.
According to Kwinana, the collection of poetry and prose is a reflection on Kwinana’s own struggles with depression and anxiety.
“I never intended to write a poetry book. But I thought, maybe sharing my story could help someone, even if it is just one other person,” she said.
The front cover of SU student Zenith Kwinana’s debut poetry collection Made of Light. PHOTO: Amazon
The poetry collection not only serves as a form of healing, but is also a form of education, said Kwinana. Made of Light can therefore help break stigmas that surround mental illness, she said.
“How stigmas arise is through a lack of knowledge or ignorance. So, the best way to create awareness and tackle stigmas is to educate,” Kwinana said.
According to Charl Davids, deputy director at SU’s Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD), the stigma surrounding mental health conditions remains a critical roadblock in the path to overcoming psychological and emotional struggles.
“Education and increased awareness of the importance of mental health is the most important way to dispel the stigma surrounding mental illness. It paves the way for timely treatment interventions and better outcomes,” said Davids.
Let’s talk about it
Kwinana also hopes the book will encourage more conversations about mental health.
“Through sharing my story in the form of this book, and using my poetry page @madeoflight_, I really want to create an online platform where young people can have open and genuine discussions about mental health,” Kwinana said.
According to Kwinana, her poetry page on Instagram aims to be a space that is free of judgement, safe and conducive for having discussions about mental health.
Since its publication, the book has been well-received, said Kwinana.
“Poetry is [often] viewed as something beautiful, and to portray mental illness in that way makes it easier for people to, not only relate to, but also speak about it,” said Olwethu Masombuka, a student who has read some of the poems from Made of Light.
According to Masombuka, the way mental health is confronted in Kwinana’s poetry collection not only brings awareness to mental health, but also breaks the stigma that surrounds it.
Deputy director at SU’s CSCD, Charl Davids, gives five tips for starting conversations about mental health. INFOGRAPHIC: MatieMedia/Tori O’Regan