Mental Health App Panda Launches ‘Panda for Teens’
Mental Health App Panda Launches ‘Panda for Teens’. In response to the increased need for mental health support for young people, ‘Panda for Teens’ has been launched by the Panda team. The Panda app provides a safe and anonymous space for teenagers aged 16 and above to find community-based and professional support, share their thoughts and feelings with those of a similar age, and access a wide range of mental health resources.
“All the existing features in the Panda app will also be available to teenagers, including a comprehensive library of mental health resources and the ability to schedule one-on-one sessions with a registered professional. They will have the added benefit of being able to attend and participate in Forest sessions dedicated to teen-specific issues,” says Allan Sweidan, Chief Science Officer of the Panda app.
‘The Forest’ is a virtual support platform within the app that is moderated by mental health professionals. In Forest sessions, Panda users can listen in and speak anonymously and freely about what they’re going through. Forest sessions are live and are delivered in audio- and text-only format for teens, giving peace of mind to those who wish to remain anonymous while participating in sessions. According to a 2021 UNICEF South Africa poll, 65% of young people admitted to experiencing some form of mental health challenge but did not seek help for it. One in five respondents didn’t know where to find help or didn’t get appropriate help because they were worried about “what people would think”.
“The shame attached to suicide is primarily why young people do not come forward to talk about the troubling thoughts they are experiencing until it is too late. Behind every suicidal thought, attempt and another form of self-harm is a cry for help,” says Mandisa Mtembu, a registered counsellor. “We need to normalise becoming aware of emotions and their impact from as early as primary school. These conversations need to happen at home, at school and on other platforms like Panda that are available to our youth and are safe to use.”
