14/11/2025
Yesterday, we hosted a power-packed session through our live webinar dubbed - Click to Heal.
Our first speaker, Ms Sishemo Kumatongo, took a deep dive into digital mental health by highlighting different platforms available, their advantages and key concerns, including examples of platforms within the region. While technology makes things better, it's not meant to replace the notion of humanity. Person to person interaction is important in mental health support, as such in moments human interaction is unavailable, technology should only supplement. In providing the way forward, Ms Sishemo echoed on building digital literacy, youth-led content and culturally sensitive design of digital platforms, strengthening partnerships especially with service providers, regulation among other options.
Building on this discussion, Ms Winnifridah Chewe shared key ethical considerations in utilising digital mental health and how to respond to breech in confidentiality through reporting. She also emphasized on end-users (clients) signing consent, ensuring conversations are encrypted and utilising protected platforms for online counselling or support. Ms Winnifridah also cautioned on the use of ChatGPT as data protection is not guaranteed considering it's an international service.
In the words of Ms Sishemo, "modern times don't call for existing measures, they just call for better ones." Digital health is not trying to replace human interaction but complement it. We also have a role to play as users in ensuring data protection.
We would like to thank our speakers for such an insightful discussion, our poised moderator, Chimwemwe Lobole and all attendees who made this discussion possible.
