Mental health is a universal human experience, shaped by time, culture, and social change, yet it remains widely misunderstood. Although it affects people of all ages, the ways in which it is experienced differ across generations. These differences can create misunderstandings, reinforce stigma, and prevent valuable opportunities for mutual learning and support between younger and older people.
Dr Alvine Tetu
On 14 February 2026, Commonwealth Alumnus Alvine Tetu Akwei hosted an intergenerational mental health dialogue in Yaoundé, Cameroon, uniting older and younger community members.
Alvine Tetu Akwei is a medical doctor and global mental health professional. She is the Public Mental Health Officer at the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE).
Uniting youth and elders to tackle mental health challenges in Cameroon
Mental health disorders are a significant public health concern in Cameroon, especially among children and young adults. Conflict, poverty, and weak health systems contribute to high rates of depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
Stigma and generational gaps in understanding mental health prevent many people from seeking the help they need. As a result, the burden on families increases, making it harder for them to cope and support each other. This highlights the need for greater engagement between older and younger people to understand and promote mental health awareness.
To tackle this issue, Alvine hosted a one‑day intergenerational dialogue designed to foster understanding between generations, share coping strategies, and strengthen mental health awareness among families and communities.
Participants represented youth groups, faith‑based organisations, cultural associations, disability groups, professional networks, and development initiatives.
Creating space for honest conversations and collective learning
The activity included facilitated discussions designed to progress personal perceptions of mental health into practical solutions. Sessions were led by Mrs Mantsana Innocente, a mental health nurse, with support from Mr Ndouop Maurice, a recent MSc Public Health graduate with an interest in public mental health.
Dr Alvine Tetu and Mrs Innocente Mantsana (co-facilitator)
Alvine opened the dialogue by inviting attendees to share their views on mental health, followed by a presentation addressing misconceptions and stigma. Participants were then split into age-based groups to discuss generational stressors and perspectives, the negative impact of not voicing mental health concerns, and to share coping methods.
The dialogue then expanded to examine how family and culture affect mental health. Participants shared personal experiences, including deeply moving accounts of stigma, lack of family support, and the pressure to protect the family reputation at the expense of personal wellbeing.
Alvine encouraged everyone to spot barriers to seeking help and identify support networks within families, communities, and professional services. The programme concluded with a presentation on practical coping skills, such as breathing exercises that participants could integrate into their daily lives.
Next steps and future impact
To assess the activity’s impact, Alvine conducted pre‑ and post‑workshop surveys to measure changes in mental health awareness. Results showed a clear improvement in understanding, and a grasp of how and why generations perceive mental health differently. Participants also reported gaining useful coping strategies and expressed a strong interest in attending future sessions.
Plans are underway to expand the programme to other councils and regions, with the long‑term aim of developing the ‘Bridging Minds Initiative’ to foster dialogue, reduce stigma, and close the mental health gap in Cameroon.
As an immediate follow-up, Alvine is creating an English and French brochure capturing key insights from the discussion. The brochure will be shared online and through local community groups. It is hoped this resource will spread awareness and intergenerational understanding to the wider community, with participants acting as community ambassadors to ensure the dialogue’s impact reaches even further.
Alvine Tetu Akwei is a 2023 Commonwealth Scholar from Cameroon. She completed a MSc in Global Mental Health at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
