Mental Voices Africa

Mental Voices Africa – Brian

A photo of Brian seated in a chair with headphones in his ears looking toward a mobile phone being held toward him.

Mental Voices Africa – Brian

by

Rooted in Rights

In October 2019, Rooted in Rights collaborated with Mental Voices Africa through the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment to offer a storytelling advocacy workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. These advocacy videos were scripted, filmed, and edited all on mobile phones by the participants in a matter of days! These advocates have lived experience and are working to reduce stigma, improve access, and develop community for people with mental health disabilities.

Brian Emmanuel Mbuthia created an online open forum on Mental Health called The Stronger Forum. Here he engages especially with young adults and invites teachers, parents and caregivers as part of creating conversations around Mental Health that he has been able to set up with the help of his psychologist. He also participates in panel discussions on Mental Health in church seminars, talks and TV shows and uses these opportunities to challenge the stigma by sharing his lived experience with a Mental illness alongside helpful information in relation to mental health.

Follow him!

Twitter: @brian_innovate

Facebook: The Stronger Forum

This video is a product of a mobile phone storytelling workshop conducted by Noela Luka, Chairperson Mental Voices Africa, and Allexa Laycock, Editor Rooted in Rights. Initially supported by The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment.

The Professional Fellows Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Institute for Community Inclusion for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston and Humanity and Inclusion.

Transcripts
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About Rooted In Rights

Rooted in Rights exists to amplify the perspectives of the disability community. Blog posts and storyteller videos that we publish and content we re-share on social media do not necessarily reflect the opinions or values of Rooted in Rights nor indicate an endorsement of a program or service by Rooted in Rights. We respect and aim to reflect the diversity of opinions and experiences of the disability community. Rooted in Rights seeks to highlight discussions, not direct them. Learn more about Rooted In Rights

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Mental Voices Africa – Festus (English voice over)

Rooted in Rights and Mental Voices Africa logos with Closed Captioning and Audio Description logos. Festus smiles in front of a brick wall.

Mental Voices Africa – Festus (English voice over)

by

Rooted in Rights

In October 2019, Rooted in Rights collaborated with Mental Voices Africa through the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment to offer a storytelling advocacy workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. These advocacy videos were scripted, filmed, and edited all on mobile phones by the participants in a matter of days! These advocates have lived experience and are working to reduce stigma, improve access, and develop community for people with mental health disabilities.

Content note: Mention of suicidal feelings

Festus Maronga, is from Gachie, Kenya. He’s a student at Kenyatta University studying Diploma in Theatre Art and Film Technology. He loves writing poems and acting. He’s passionate about Child Rights and Mental Health.

Studying Theatre Arts has helped him create awareness on Mental Health through the poems and plays which he writes and presents in public places like churches and other social gatherings.

He is currently working on a documentary film on his journey about overcoming Mental illness. He hopes to get many parents to understand that at some point they can cause Mental problems to their own children and to know how they can get help in case of a problem.

This video is a product of a mobile phone storytelling workshop conducted by Noela Luka, Chairperson Mental Voices Africa, and Allexa Laycock, Editor Rooted in Rights. Initially supported by The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment.

The Professional Fellows program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Institute for Community Inclusion for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston and Humanity and Inclusion.

Transcript English
Transcript Swahili
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About Rooted In Rights

Rooted in Rights exists to amplify the perspectives of the disability community. Blog posts and storyteller videos that we publish and content we re-share on social media do not necessarily reflect the opinions or values of Rooted in Rights nor indicate an endorsement of a program or service by Rooted in Rights. We respect and aim to reflect the diversity of opinions and experiences of the disability community. Rooted in Rights seeks to highlight discussions, not direct them. Learn more about Rooted In Rights

Mental Voices Africa – Festus (Swahili)

Rooted in Rights and Mental Voices Africa logos with Closed Captioning and Audio Description logos. Festus smiles in front of a brick wall.

Mental Voices Africa – Festus (Swahili)

by

Rooted in Rights

In October 2019, Rooted in Rights collaborated with Mental Voices Africa through the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment to offer a storytelling advocacy workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. These advocacy videos were scripted, filmed, and edited all on mobile phones by the participants in a matter of days! These advocates have lived experience and are working to reduce stigma, improve access, and develop community for people with mental health disabilities.

Content note: Mention of suicidal feelings

Festus Maronga, is from Gachie, Kenya. He’s a student at Kenyatta University studying Diploma in Theatre Art and Film Technology. He loves writing poems and acting. He’s passionate about Child Rights and Mental Health.

Studying Theatre Arts has helped him create awareness on Mental Health through the poems and plays which he writes and presents in public places like churches and other social gatherings.

He is currently working on a documentary film on his journey about overcoming Mental illness. He hopes to get many parents to understand that at some point they can cause Mental problems to their own children and to know how they can get help in case of a problem.

This video is a product of a mobile phone storytelling workshop conducted by Noela Luka, Chairperson Mental Voices Africa, and Allexa Laycock, Editor Rooted in Rights. Initially supported by The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment.

The Professional Fellows program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Institute for Community Inclusion for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston and Humanity and Inclusion.

Transcript Swahili
Transcript English
, , ,

About Rooted In Rights

Rooted in Rights exists to amplify the perspectives of the disability community. Blog posts and storyteller videos that we publish and content we re-share on social media do not necessarily reflect the opinions or values of Rooted in Rights nor indicate an endorsement of a program or service by Rooted in Rights. We respect and aim to reflect the diversity of opinions and experiences of the disability community. Rooted in Rights seeks to highlight discussions, not direct them. Learn more about Rooted In Rights

Mental Voices Africa – Harrison

Rooted in Rights and Mental Voices Africa logo with Closed Caption and Audio Description logos. Harrison sits in front of a brick wall.

Mental Voices Africa – Harrison

by

Rooted in Rights

In October 2019, Rooted in Rights collaborated with Mental Voices Africa through the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment to offer a storytelling advocacy workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. These advocacy videos were scripted, filmed, and edited all on mobile phones by the participants in a matter of days! These advocates have lived experience and are working to reduce stigma, improve access, and develop community for people with mental health disabilities.

Harrison describes the difficulty in acquiring a disability card as a person with bipolar disorder.

This video is a product of a mobile phone storytelling workshop conducted by Noela Luka, Chairperson Mental Voices Africa, and Allexa Laycock, Editor Rooted in Rights. Initially supported by The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment.

The Professional Fellows program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Institute for Community Inclusion for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston and Humanity and Inclusion.

Transcript
, , ,

About Rooted In Rights

Rooted in Rights exists to amplify the perspectives of the disability community. Blog posts and storyteller videos that we publish and content we re-share on social media do not necessarily reflect the opinions or values of Rooted in Rights nor indicate an endorsement of a program or service by Rooted in Rights. We respect and aim to reflect the diversity of opinions and experiences of the disability community. Rooted in Rights seeks to highlight discussions, not direct them. Learn more about Rooted In Rights

Mental Voices Africa – Nick

Rooted in Rights and Mental Voices Africa logo with Closed Caption and Audio Description logos. Nick sits in front of a brick wall.

Mental Voices Africa – Nick

by

Rooted in Rights

In October 2019, Rooted in Rights collaborated with Mental Voices Africa through the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment to offer a storytelling advocacy workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. These advocacy videos were scripted, filmed, and edited all on mobile phones by the participants in a matter of days! These advocates have lived experience and are working to reduce stigma, improve access, and develop community for people with mental health disabilities.

Nicholas Odhiambo Osir has a BA in Philosophy. He is a Mental Health survivor meaning he got better over time, developed great coping mechanisms and is not always on medication. He is passionate about self-advocacy on Mental Health issues in relation to drug and substance abuse, especially among the youth. He often engages young people where they feel comfortable in their neighborhoods, places of worship and public places to spark conversations around mental illness. He is working towards being a public speaker based on his personal experience. “I’m a giver of hope to those who have succumbed. A winner of the toughest and roughest battle.” -Nick

Follow him!

Twitter @nixosir

Facebook: Nick Kizito

Instagram: @nix_osir

This video is a product of a mobile phone storytelling workshop conducted by Noela Luka, Chairperson Mental Voices Africa, and Allexa Laycock, Editor Rooted in Rights. Initially supported by The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment.

The Professional Fellows program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Institute for Community Inclusion for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston and Humanity and Inclusion.

Transcript
, , ,

About Rooted In Rights

Rooted in Rights exists to amplify the perspectives of the disability community. Blog posts and storyteller videos that we publish and content we re-share on social media do not necessarily reflect the opinions or values of Rooted in Rights nor indicate an endorsement of a program or service by Rooted in Rights. We respect and aim to reflect the diversity of opinions and experiences of the disability community. Rooted in Rights seeks to highlight discussions, not direct them. Learn more about Rooted In Rights

Mental Voices Africa – Phyllis

Phyllis sits in front of a brick wall. She wears headphones and looks to the side with a slight smile.

Mental Voices Africa – Phyllis

by

Rooted in Rights

In October 2019, Rooted in Rights collaborated with Mental Voices Africa through the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment to offer a storytelling advocacy workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. These advocacy videos were scripted, filmed, and edited all on mobile phones by the participants in a matter of days! These advocates have lived experience and are working to reduce stigma, improve access, and develop community for people with mental health disabilities.

Phyllis is an I.T and Administration Professional with Logistics working experience. As a Mental Health Ambassador, she hopes to help destigmatize mental health and foster open dialogues about issues such as Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety, and other disorders. As a Mental Health Ambassador, she has cherished her time learning from fellow ambassadors and developing her own abilities as a peer educator.

Follow her!

@greenphilswils

Facebook: Mind Safari Nature-Talk Therapy

This video is a product of a mobile phone storytelling workshop conducted by Noela Luka, Chairperson Mental Voices Africa, and Allexa Laycock, Editor Rooted in Rights. Initially supported by The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment.

The Professional Fellows program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Institute for Community Inclusion for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston and Humanity and Inclusion.

Transcripts
, , ,

About Rooted In Rights

Rooted in Rights exists to amplify the perspectives of the disability community. Blog posts and storyteller videos that we publish and content we re-share on social media do not necessarily reflect the opinions or values of Rooted in Rights nor indicate an endorsement of a program or service by Rooted in Rights. We respect and aim to reflect the diversity of opinions and experiences of the disability community. Rooted in Rights seeks to highlight discussions, not direct them. Learn more about Rooted In Rights