Dr. Hlokoma Mangqalaza Shines at International Conference on Child and Adolescent Mental Health

From May 14 to 16, 2024, Dr. Hlokoma Mangqalaza represented the Center for Social Science Research (CSSR) at the prestigious “BOLD IDEAS FOR BRIGHTER FUTURES” international conference, held at the Karolinska Institutet in collaboration with UNICEF. The conference aimed to create a global platform for discussing cutting-edge research and innovative approaches to promote and protect the mental health of children and adolescents. By facilitating the exchange of knowledge among international experts and diverse stakeholders, the event sought to advance the latest research, policy, and practice in this critical field.

Dr. Mangqalaza’s presentation highlighted groundbreaking research conducted by the CSSR on adolescent parent families living in adversity, particularly focusing on young parents in resource-constrained environments. Drawing from the Khanyisa Ngemdundo study, Dr. Mangqalaza presented compelling data on the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in providing psychosocial support services to reduce school dropout rates among pregnant and learner mothers in peri-urban and rural schools within the Buffalo City municipality of South Africa.

The presentation stood out for its focus on mental health interventions in schools, an area that received significant attention at the conference. The audience was highly impressed with the impactful findings, particularly the effectiveness of CSO-led initiatives in curbing dropout rates among pregnant and mother learners in disadvantaged areas. Dr. Mangqalaza’s contribution to the conference was met with widespread acclaim, highlighting the vital role of mental health support in educational settings and underscoring the importance of international collaboration in addressing these global challenges.