On October 10, Malabo’s Centro Cultural Ecuatoguineano came alive with youthful energy, creativity, and raw emotion. The halls resonated with poetry, songs, and personal testimonies addressing a topic rarely spoken aloud: mental health. UNICEF officially launched “In My Mind”, a podcast designed to support and raise awareness among Equatorial Guinea’s youth on emotional well-being. Released to coincide with World Mental Health Day, the project aims to break the silence, spark conversation, and use art as a powerful tool for healing.
Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Social Welfare and Hospital Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Information, Press, and Culture, “In My Mind” explores the emotional landscape of adolescence, including anxiety, self-esteem, fear, friendship, and hope. Each episode offers practical resources and real-life testimonials, encouraging young listeners to care for their minds and share their experiences. The podcast is inclusive and multilingual—available in Fang, Spanish, and Pichi, the country’s most widely spoken languages—ensuring the message reaches every corner of Equatorial Guinea.
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During the launch event, culture became therapy. There was theater, poetry, and music. Young volunteers performed scenes depicting the daily challenges of mental health, while Braille teacher Eusebio Trillo Catalán recited his poem “A Song to Mental Health”. Freestyle and a cappella performances transformed emotions into art, turning the event into a celebration of creative resilience.
“Everyone has problems, but it’s better to face them together than alone,” said Ana María Güemes, UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Equatorial Guinea. Her words resonated with the audience as a call for empathy, solidarity, and support.
Days after the event, in a conversation with Africanian News, an English-language digital newspaper based in Equatorial Guinea, Eliseo Bapué Chalé, General Coordinator of the Centro Cultural Ecuatoguineano, reflected on the significance of initiatives like this: “We need inspiration, because to build our nation, we must all surpass our own expectations. Those with the courage and passion to grow, and who dare to dream big, are the ones who can truly change the world and achieve great things. The Cultural Center is open to supporting youth, encouraging participation in projects that foster collaboration and unite young people around a common cultural goal.”
Dr. Hilario Ondo Edjang, Director General of Narcotic Drugs at the Ministry of Health, attending on behalf of the Minister, emphasized that “mental health must not be a taboo.” According to him, “In My Mind” “opens a door for young people to speak, listen to each other, and understand that seeking help is also an act of strength.”
Ultimately, “In My Mind” blends art, culture, and public health. It demonstrates that in Equatorial Guinea, youth are not only striving to be heard—they are learning to listen to themselves. Because when minds open, culture flourishes. And when culture merges with empathy, a more aware, humane, and resilient nation emerges.
