A Hug and a Rose

You've probably seen or heard about the young lady who is handing out free hugs and roses in front of Lilongwe's Shoprite. And you've probably wondered who she is and why she's doing what she's doing. Well, I had the same questions, so I decided to contact her to see if she could assist us in responding to these questions.

First of all, her name is Kythrina Phiri and she is the current Miss Christian Africa. Kythrina has opted for a distinct approach in highlighting issues of mental health by giving away hugs and free roses. Her strategy, as we all have noted, is unique in that she is drawing attention to mental health issues without actually having to say anything.

She observed that many Malawians talk about the importance of opening about mental health struggles, but then get judgmental when people actually open up. The concept of giving out hugs and roses came about as a way to encourage people to reach out to someone without explicitly articulating what they are going through.

By giving out hugs and roses, she is signaling that it is sometimes fine not to speak up. We can still show someone that we care about them by sometimes, not saying anything. By taking this approach, she is providing a safe space for people who are struggling but choose not to talk about it, or people who are struggling but fail to articulate their struggles. She believes that reaching out for a hug is something that needs to be applauded as it is the first step in admitting that something is wrong and that someone needs help.

By doing this, she is encouraging the use of genuine gestures in reaching out to people who are depressed, anxious, or suffering from by other mental health disorders. Kythrina is showing us that we can provide a safe space for people to seek support, and talk about their mental health issues in addition to mental health professionals they can seek help from.

She concluded by saying that, what she is doing is just a pilot phase for a larger mental health campaign by YAMOS( You First,Acceptance,Move on Quickly, Open up, and Socialize) which she is running as Miss Christian Africa, 2022. The campaign is aimed at addressing mental health issues, eradicating mental health stigma, and fostering a community that embodies the true meaning of mental health support.

Sometimes, all you need is a hug and a rose.