In a world where mental health is still largely overlooked, psychological violence continues to cause invisible yet devastating harm. Many people grow up normalizing emotional manipulation, gaslighting, or constant criticism without realizing how damaging it can be. In the worst cases, it leads to depression, isolation, and even suicide. According to the World Health Organization (OMS), over 720,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide. Emotional abuse, social isolation, and lack of psychological support are among the leading contributing factors, especially for young people who often suffer in silence.
That is why YMCA Madagascar, through its Y-Health Club, partnered with Omena Movement to launch their first mental health awareness workshop: “Stop Psychological Violence,” held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Youth Power Space in Ankerana.
The workshop provided a safe and open space for young participants to engage, share, and reflect together. The session explored:
The different forms of psychological violence, from emotional manipulation to constant belittling
The root causes, including how anyone, knowingly or not, can become a perpetrator
The consequences, especially how this kind of violence affects mental health and can lead to long-term trauma, anxiety, or even suicidal thought
Concrete ways to respond and heal included:
- Learning to identify and understand our emotions, as a first step toward managing them in a healthy way
- Developing safe and respectful emotional expression
- Getting clear boundaries when facing emotional manipulation or discomfort
- Encouraging open and honest conversations about mental health
This session was more than just a talk. It was a much-needed space for young people to open up, learn how to recognize emotional abuse, and understand that it’s okay to speak up about their mental health. Because the truth is simple: mental health matters. And it is time we stop pretending it doesn’t.
This is just the beginning of a growing partnership between YMCA Madagascar and Omena Movement, committed to promoting emotional well-being and helping youth become mentally resilient and more self-aware.
