Mental Well-Being Seminar with Dr. Alvine Tetuh | Ursula Kom, Open Dreams

On 14th February 2026, Ursula Kom had the privilege to represent Open Dreams at a transformative Mental Health seminar led by Dr. Alvine Tetuh at the Mvolye Spiritual Center in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This event was proudly sponsored by the Alumni Community Engagement Fund (ACE) – Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, to create a safe, intergenerational space for sharing experiences, reducing stigma, and strengthening community support for mental well-being.

Dr. Alvine Tetuh opened the session by defining mental health as how we feel, think, and act, highlighting its role in building strong friendships, learning effectively, and navigating life positively. Drawing on the World Health Organization’s definition, mental health is “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community.”

Four key indicators of mental health were discussed:

1. Realizing Full Potential

   • Setting and achieving goals

   • Continuously learning and growing

   • Feeling a sense of accomplishment in personal and professional endeavors

2. Coping with Normal Stress

   • Managing daily challenges, from getting out of bed to navigating emotional responses

   • Maintaining resilience during difficult times

   • Using healthy coping strategies

3. Carrying Out Activities Effectively

   • Completing tasks efficiently

   • Feeling motivated and satisfied in work or studies

   • Contributing skills to meaningful projects

4. Participation in Personal and Community Development

   • Volunteering and helping others

   • Building and maintaining friendships

   • Engaging in social, cultural, and civic activities

Dr. Tetuh emphasized the difference between mental health distress and mental health disorders:

• Mental Health Distress: Temporary emotional discomfort, such as sadness after a loss, anxiety, or irritability. This is a normal reaction to stress and life challenges and does not necessarily require medical intervention.

• Mental Health Disorder (MHD): A condition that significantly affects thinking, emotions, mood, behavior, or functioning, often causing distress or impairment in daily life.

Mental health challenges can arise from multiple factors:

• Biological: Genetics or family history

• Psychological: Trauma or chronic stress

• Social: Poverty, unemployment, discrimination, or poor social support

Common mental health challenges discussed included stress, depression, anxiety, and grief. Dr. Alvine highlighted that poor mental health can lead to:

• Loss of interest in daily activities

• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns

• Persistent sadness

• Social withdrawal

• Fatigue and lack of concentration

Participants left with practical guidance for nurturing mental well-being:

• Seek support: Call 1510, engage with community networks, or speak with family members.

• Break stigma: Mental illness is not caused by witchcraft, not a sign of weakness, not contagious, and should never be called “madness.” People with mental health conditions are not inherently violent.

• Redefine work: Work isn’t just about routines—it includes relationships, impact, and personal growth.

• Mindful nutrition: Eating coconut daily may support mental health and improve mood.

• Communication matters: Both verbal and nonverbal communication can significantly affect mental well-being.

• Practice patience: Life is unpredictable. Reflecting, pausing, and building strong foundations help navigate challenges more effectively.

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The seminar was not only informative but also empowering, leaving participants equipped with knowledge, strategies, and encouragement to prioritize mental well-being in their own lives and communities.

Ursula Kom | Open Dreams