How we feel

“Since my appointment as First lady of Suriname in 2020, I partnered with UNICEF to spread the message of love and kindness amongst our children and young people, in an effort to ensure children know that they are loved, appreciated and heard’, says the First Lady of Suriname.

Television programs are increasingly more popular these days and are a great way to sensitize and inform target audiences. The “How we feel” program is a dialogue that features real-life stories with the First lady (as the main host), the UNICEF Representative (special guest) and adolescents with a disability and marginalized backgrounds, whom discuss their experience with topics related to mental health, the challenges and how they overcame them.  The dialogue includes psychologists/ mental health professionals, to share their insights, tips, and stories of resilience.

“We are delighted to be able to advocate and raise awareness in a long sustained partnership together with the First Lady , to tackle the matter of Mental health amongst young people in Suriname”, says Nicolas Pron, UNICEF Representative. “Every recording I am touched by the stories of adolescents as they share their fears and their coping mechanisms”.

The program address topics related to mental health that are considered taboo within the society with its principal objective to reduce stigma and discrimination, normalize help seeking and self-care behaviors amongst adolescents and young people and increased awareness, self-efficacy, and resilience.

The program is a UNICEF partnership with the First Lady of Suriname and the National TV station ATV.

In 2020 and 2021 the program reached over 20,000 people through TV broadcasts and supported the participation and empowerment of 30 adolescents who shared their stories in the program.

The program is set up and recorded in a child-friendly setting at the Presidential Palace, with a specific focus on inclusion aimed at braking stigma in all its forms.

“Wow!’ Randy says, “I am so honored to have been selected to be a part of this program. Lots of children like me are often forgotten, and I am happy to be included for 4 episodes now and sharing my story with the First Lady’, says 11-year-old, Randy, who was born with a hearing impairment. “During the recording my mother and my sister always join me, also my sign language teacher Mrs. Rosita, plus the palace is beautiful”, Randy adds.

The First Lady made sure that she reaches as many children as possible. Not only the districts, but in all their abilities, making sure all the means are available to ensure their inclusion and safety.

Beginning of 2023, we also started the program in district Nickerie (the district with the highest numbers of suicides nationally).

So far, 2 ‘How we feel’ engagement sessions have been executed in Nickerie, together with the District Commissioner. This was adapted and included mental well being exercises with a focus on resilience and teaching children the power of positive self-affirmations.

UNICEF will continue strengthening its alliance with the First Lady to raise awareness about mental health with children and young people. In 2024, 10 ‘How we feel’ episodes are already planned and 3 school engagement sessions are planned with children in Nickerie.