South African youth are urging adults to listen actively and empathetically, as revealed in a national creative competition where over 1,100 participants highlighted mental health crises, digital anxiety, and the need for genuine respect, reports Cape townEtc .
The competitions provided a platform for children and teenagers to express their realities without filters. Their submissions emphasised that mental health challenges are widespread and urgent, with many participants sharing feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation.
Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning, what if I'm not good enough? One 15 year-old shared.