Message from Nosiphiwo Mkhize, Chair National Marketing

Depression. A common and serious mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness, emptiness, or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, lasting most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

Common symptoms can look like:

• Low or sad mood, irritability, or emotional numbness.
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or social activities.
• Fatigue, low energy, or feeling physically heavy.
• Changes in sleep (insomnia or sleeping too much) and appetite (weight loss or gain).
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions.
• Feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, or hopelessness.
• Recurrent thoughts of death or self-harm.

June 2025, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Booked off work for 7 weeks. Put on a 6-month medication course for both. I remember walking into my psychiatrist office scared that she wouldn’t see the desperate state I was in. I mean I had masked it so well and carried depression so well for longer than I want to admit. But this time around, I couldn’t take it anymore and I needed rest. When I walked out of that office with a letter to go rest for 7 weeks, I wept. I felt validated. I felt like I could drop my shoulders and breath. I had functioning depression that landed me in terrible state. But I was thankful. I was thankful for professionals who can see past the masks we no longer know how to take off, professionals who hear your simple words to describe what’s going on and hear the depth of pain you are truly in. thankful that I was privileged enough to sit in front of a professional and get the help I needed.

I spent the next 7 weeks in silence, naps and following the winter sun around my house, asking myself the questions, ‘how did it get here?’ and ‘when did I know things were not right but didn’t know how to express it?’.

Those 7 weeks led me back to 16-year-old Nosiphiwo. I had a clear memory of standing in front of my bathroom mirror at home, looking at myself, acknowledging my face but not seeing me at all. I remember being so confused, my face is right there but my eyes are so empty, and I don’t know what this all means. I remember being so sad but not being able to pinpoint why. So, I continued having the disposition of optimism I had come to be known for. I also remember that it was at that point, the idea of ‘stepping out of life’ formed. I know I didn’t want to die, but I knew I just wanted to get of this train, sit and watch it pass me by and when I felt strong enough again, get back on. I know now that this is called escape ideation, which in my adult life was also fuelled by burnout.

Today I am 40 and looking back, I celebrated this milestone this year because of God’s grace and community. Teenage me knew something was wrong and the only thing she knew how to make the pain better, was to keep busy. So, I built. I built community around me, friendships and got involved giving back, all in the hopes of giving my mind something else to think about and not sit in big, scary questions all day. I didn’t know it then, but this was the mental health hack, that kept me alive and gave me purpose and people to cling onto when days were dark.

If you are a parent, young adult or teen reading this, here is my 2026 hack to you, on how to keep your mental health in check. Find community and give of your gifts to it, while also being poured into by it.

When I think about the community of Scouts and how it can play a role in keeping young people afloat mentally, I think about how:

• Scouting helps you find friendship and belonging – Being part of a Scout group helps you meet people, make friends and feel included. Having people, you can talk to and spend time with can help you feel less alone when life gets difficult
• You get to spend time outdoors – Camping, hiking and exploring nature give you a break from everyday pressures. Being outdoors, getting fresh air and moving your body can help reduce stress and support your mood.
• You build confidence by learning new things – Learning to pitch a tent, solve a problem or master a new skill teaches you that you can do hard things. Each achievement can strengthen your confidence and belief in yourself.
• You learn to work through challenges – Scouting gives you opportunities to solve problems, work in teams and learn from mistakes. These experiences can help you develop resilience — the ability to adapt and keep going when things do not go as planned.
• You discover that you can make a difference – Helping others and serving your community can give you a sense of purpose. It reminds you that your actions matter and that you have something valuable to contribute.
• You have adults who can guide and challenge you – Supportive Scout leaders can help you develop, recognise your strengths and navigate challenges. A trusted adult who listens without judging can make a meaningful difference when you need support.
• You learn that growth takes time – Earning badges, setting goals and progressing through Scouting teach you patience and perseverance. You learn that making mistakes is part of learning and that you do not have to be perfect to make progress.

But Scouting isn’t just about community for young kids, but also for adults. Be the adult that carries wisdom and pours back into the young kids within your neighbourhood. Be the adult who finds other adults to learn with and grow with. Be the parent who doesn’t wait for a mental health disaster to happen, before you safeguard your kids.

Where am I today with all that I now know? I am thankful that I have the language to express the constant current that runs silently within me. I have accepted that I have a mind that can’t be left to ideal in darkness and thus have poured light into it through community and healing. I listen to my body sooner than later. I nap when I am tired. I recognise that I am human and not superwoman. And I share my story in the hopes that someone else recognises themselves in it and seeks help.

As we acknowledge October being National Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa. Let’s understand that mental wellbeing is something we can all foster from an early age through conversations and start to build stronger minds through hacks such as the community of Scouting.