TikTok Holds Initial Digital Wellness Conference to Enhance Mental Health Assistance
**TikTok Bolsters Mental Health Support in Sub-Saharan Africa**
In a significant stride towards promoting mental health education on the African continent, TikTok recently held its first Digital Well-being Summit in Sub-Saharan Africa. The event brought together policymakers, mental health experts, NGOs, and tech leaders from various African countries.
As part of this commitment, TikTok has expanded its $2.3 million global Mental Health Education Fund to include organisations from Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time. This move marks a significant step in TikTok's efforts to address mental health challenges in the region.
Three organisations have been selected as inaugural regional recipients: the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), the Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI), and Kenya’s Mental360. These groups will receive funding and platform support to create locally relevant, evidence-based content designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage open discussions about mental health in African communities.
In addition to the fund expansion, TikTok is also introducing several new initiatives. The platform is expanding in-app mental health helpline resources across Africa, providing users direct access to local helplines when reporting content related to suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment, helping users receive expert support in real time.
TikTok has also introduced a new in-app meditation feature aimed at promoting emotional wellbeing and sleep hygiene, especially for users under 18. This "Sleep Hours" feature activates at 10:00 p.m. to guide users through meditation sessions.
At the Digital Well-Being Summit in Johannesburg, TikTok also announced the appointment of Mental Health Ambassadors for Africa — verified professionals from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria — who will create evidence-based mental health content and foster healthy digital habits.
The summit, which was attended by delegates from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and beyond, emphasized the collaboration between the private sector and the government as a collective responsibility to inspire creativity, empower communities, and connect young people to the digital world.
Yusuf Akoojee, Marketing Director at Spectra, expressed a shared vision with TikTok to create secure, innovative digital environments that prioritize mental health and online safety. The summit focused on discussions about online safety, mental health, and digital literacy, with TikTok emphasizing the importance of developing inclusive tools and fostering a balanced digital environment, particularly for young users.
The global $2.3 million Mental Health Education Fund has so far generated over 173 million impressions, added more than 600,000 followers to supported accounts, driven over 200,000 website visits, and helped recruit 486 new volunteers through $7.3 million in ad credit donations.
South Africa's Minister of Basic Education, Hon. Siviwe Gwarube, commended the collaboration, praising the private sector's efforts to foster digital literacy and create a safer online environment for all. Valiant Richey, TikTok’s Global Head of Trust and Safety Outreach and Partnerships, stated that the introduced tools aim to support digital well-being and empower young users with a safe, supportive space to explore complex emotions.
The ongoing success of the #MentalHealthMatters campaign was highlighted at the summit, underscoring TikTok’s efforts to address mental health challenges through education, accessible support, and trusted information tailored to the needs of Sub-Saharan African communities.
- TikTok's Mental Health Education Fund has been expanded to include organizations from Sub-Saharan Africa, marking a move towards addressing mental health challenges in the region.
- As part of their commitment, TikTok will provide funding and platform support to local organizations like the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI), and Kenya’s Mental360, to create content that raises awareness and reduces stigma around mental health.
- In line with their initiatives, TikTok is introducing an in-app meditation feature aimed at promoting emotional wellbeing and sleep hygiene, particularly for users under 18.
- To further foster healthy digital habits, TikTok has appointed Mental Health Ambassadors for Africa, verified professionals from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, who will create evidence-based mental health content and encourage the adoption of balanced digital practices.
