This October, join Stepping Stones International for the Walktober Challenge. Walk or run 150 km to raise awareness for the urgent mental health needs of Botswana's children and youth.Our theme,"Step Into Wellness: Every Mile, Every Mind," highlights how each step impacts their well-being.With rising depression, anxiety, and suicide among youth, your support will help SSI provide life-saving counseling to over 100 vulnerable children. Together, we can walk toward a healthier,more hopeful future.
Botswana,a beautiful country with immense potential, harbors a hidden crisis. With the highest rate of rape per capita globally and an increasing number of child sexual abuse cases,our youth carry deep psychological scars.Despite their resilience, many suffer in silence, dealing with untreated trauma, depression, and anxiety. Youth like L(not her real name),a 15-year-old girl who faced horrific abuse at the hands of her step-father, thought her only way out was to end her life.
Walktober Challenge 2024 is more than just a walk-it's a movement for mental wellness.With the funds raised,SSI will provide specialized counseling, trauma therapy and healing arts programs like drama and art therapy.We will train mental health professionals in advanced therapies,such as EMDR(Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing),and equip them with the skills to address the complex trauma facing them.Our goal is simple:restore hope, rebuild futures,and help our youth reclaim their lives.
By addressing mental health today, we are securing a better tomorrow for Botswana's youth. Successful treatment helps children and youth overcome trauma, improves school performance, and breaks cycles of violence, addiction, and teenage pregnancy. Your contribution ensures that these young minds have the opportunity to heal, thrive, and reach their full potential.
