In partnership with various local artists, Sekoya East Africa is marking Suicide Prevention month this September through an art-based campaign. “Uhai Campaign will seek to advocate for mental health issues, stir hushed conversations around suicide, offer a platform to share stories and experiences, provide craftwork to be purchased and sent out to victims or caregivers as a show of support.”
The Uhai Campaign will launch days prior the marking of the annual World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September 2022. The launch will feature a craft collection curated under the theme “Your life matters and your story isn’t over”. The craft pieces will be on sale throughout the month, countrywide. The collection includes a range of buttons, handmade cards, jewellery, journaling jars, acrylic plaques, key chains, coasters engraved with motivational symbols and quotes, with the aim of uplifting individuals battling mental health. A notable symbol in this collection is the semi-colon, a metaphorical symbol to indicate that life could have stopped, but instead, you got another chance to continue. This collection is produced in partnership with Afromist Designs, Christabel Yego, Shaquei the Artiste, Tokoberu Kenya and Ujamaa Designs.
The campaign will also feature High on Poems, a poetry event curated with Greatness on Suicide Awareness happening in Kisumu, on 23rd September. Leading up to this campaign, the public is invited to submit stories and experiences associated with mental health. These stories will be used for mental health advocacy on different social media platforms.
Advocates for mental health are invited to participate in the campaign as digital ambassadors by sharing it on social media. Therapists and counsellors are invited to participate by offering in-kind or reduced services to artists throughout the month. To learn how to participate in Uhai Campaign visit: https://sekoyaeastafrica.com/uhaicampaign/