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Hello, I am Tanatswa Chikaura!

Mental Health Advocate

I am a passionate Mental Health Advocate with a Bsc Hons Psychology degree. I founded a non-profit organization called Ndinewe Foundation that promotes good mental health and well-being among children, adolescents and youths living with mental, neurological and substance use disorders in Zimbabwe.

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I am a recipient of The Ignite Youth Mental Health Award which recognises socially responsible youths in the mental health field. Additionally, I am an Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Fellow.

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I have worked with organizations that focus on youth empowerment, as well as young people's mental health, providing complete end-to-end advocacy and research to ensure mental health is made a priority. I am dedicated and proactive with a proven track record of supporting fellow peers, and working within a cohesive team to improve the awareness of the needs, wishes and wants of the Zimbabwean community. 

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I bring a strong knowledge of the Mental Health Issues to empower and independently represent the needs of those who are vulnerable. Empathetic, sensitive and responsive, with superb interpersonal and people skills, able to bring about the outcomes that service users want.

Highlights

  • In the year 2020 I received Peer Counselling training, giving me skills that allow to create an environment that is empathetic, sensitive and responsive when interacting with people

  • I was selected as the Zimbabwe National Director for My State Of Mind which is an International Organization that advocates for young peoples' mental health

  • In November 2021 I founded Ndinewe Foundation, a youth led mental health organization

  • In December 2021, I was awarded the Ignite Youth Mental Health Award, given to socially responsible youths in the mental health space in Zimbabwe

  • In December 2021, I graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a first class and book prize - receiving a BSc Honours Degree in Psychology

  • In Mrach 2022 , I was selected as Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Fellow- The Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Advocacy Fellowship is a seven-month virtual program for up to 16 young people from around the globe who are passionate about youth mental health and want to create change in the mental health landscape of their country. The fellowship has been established to build the capacity, skills and voices of young people to create positive change in mental health awareness, policy and systems reform. It will provide fellows with a range of skills and support them to further develop their youth mental health advocacy project plan, designed around the needs of their communities.

Career Experience

March 2021- November 2021         Summit Care Trust

Mental Health Advocate

The main duty is driving all mental health programs and initiatives in liaison with the Programs Manager and the organisation's key stakeholders.

September 2020- Present     My State of Mind

Mental Health Advocate

The main duty is to lead My State of Mind Chapter members passionate about mental health in Zimbabwe

January 2020- January 2021 Wellness Initiative For Students(WISE)

Student Coordinator

Provided leadership and direction  the Wellness Initiative for Students projects.

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  • Successfully registered WISE as a student club at the University of Zimbabwe

  • Successfully held a Peer Counselling training session for WISE student members

  • Held an online "You are not Alone" campaign to give university students that had been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic hope in 2020

September 2020- March 2021 Ruolay Agency

Personal Assistant

Supported the Ruolay Agency Director with logistical and administrative support

April 2020- September 2020  Covid Response National Call and Data Centre

Call Centre Agent

Gave Zimbabweans information about Covid 19 information, while addressing misconceptions about Covid 19

December 2018- February 2019 National Handling Services

Human Resources Intern

  • Prepared minutes for internal meetings

  • Prepared the National Handling Services attaches payroll

  • Assisted the organization with internal arrangements such preparing travel expenses

Voluntary Experience

Rotaract University of Zimbabwe, 2018- Present

  • Volunteering to raise money for charities and old peoples homes in Zimbabwe through various activities. Successfully raised money to build hostels at Hupenyu Hutsva Childrens home, as well as implenting a Chicken Run project, in 2018. During 2019-2020 I was the club secretary.

Education

2018-2020                                       University of Zimbabwe

                                                            Bsc Honours Psychology

                                                             First Class and Book Prize 

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