In a world still grappling with the aftermath of COVID-19, mental health challenges, especially among men, have become increasingly apparent.
The Delivery Room Foundation, a spiritual and mental health clinic based in Windhoek with outreaches throughout the country, has been at the forefront of addressing these issues.
Its chairperson, Elago Nantana, has taken on the mission to inspire and support men facing depression, hopelessness, and a lack of purpose, after witnessing a disturbing rise in suicide rates among men.
Nantana told Nampa in an interview on Saturday outside Arandis that he decided to take on a 321-kilometre solo trek from Okahandja to Walvis Bay, a journey which he themed ‘A walk of Mental Peace’. This is his third walk, in order to inspire men and encourage them to communicate freely about mental health issues.
‘We have seen a troubling rise in men committing suicide, feeling depressed, hopeless, and without purpose. There seemed to be no superhero to lift them up, so Delivery Room decided
to take action,’ he explained.
Nantana’s mission aims to break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and therefore uses his own experiences to connect with other men, encouraging them to speak up and seek help.
‘Men often hesitate to speak about their struggles, leading to isolation and worsening mental health. Having overcome my own battles with depression, alcohol, and drug abuse, I understand this silence.’
In 2022, Nantana embarked on his first long walk from Oranjemund to Katima Mulilo, a journey which he described as not just a physical challenge but a symbolic gesture to encourage men not to give up.
It marked the beginning of a series of walks aimed at raising awareness about men’s mental health and providing them with a sense of hope.
‘By 2023, suicide rates among men were alarmingly high. I could not stand by and watch these rates climb, so I decided to walk to Ohangwena to encourage men once again, and through videos and personal stories, I have been working to inspire men not to give up,
‘ Nantana narrates.
Nantana’s current walk commenced over one week ago, averaging around 30 kilometres per day and had already covered about 200 kilometres during this interview.
He sets up camp to rest overnight before continuing his walk. He anticipates to arrive in Walvis Bay by Wednesday, where he will meet and talk to men about mental health issues.
Source: The Namibia News Agency