The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Innovation Challenge is a platform that offers the youth an opportunity to showcase their skills and network with like-minded individuals for personal and societal growth. Four advocates from the Ghana Youth Movement for Mental Health (GYMMH) took part in the challenge, which was launched on the 18th of October 2021.
The 48-hour virtual marathon was held in two sessions from the 18th to the 20th of October, with 165 participants organised in 38 groups embarking on the journey. Climaxing the challenge, the GYMMH team emerged as one of the 11 finalists whose innovative SDG project could receive funding. The team was certified for their participation and received an invitation to access a scholarship to the Spaceship Academy to further develop their mental health awareness project. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of protecting mental well-being, and the GYMMH advocates sought to create awareness and push for action on mental health in Ghanaian society. In response to the challenge’s theme, “Youth Resilience in COVID-19 Era: Pathways to Accelerate Actions towards Achieving SDGs,” the GYMMH advocates proposed solutions to address the mental health challenges dubbed, The Anonymosity Complex. Acknowledging the call for anonymity in dealing with mental health, the project seeks to provide a digital platform where people can interact with mental health experts without their identity being exposed. Participating in the SDG Innovation Challenge was significant for the GYMMH advocates who look forward to creating and adding value to mental health in Ghana to experience the change the GYMMH team envision.
