Safe Haven Foundation-SHF

21/10/2025

🤝 Friends Matter During Elections

Sometimes, the best way to protect your mental health is by being there for someone else. 💜

Here are 4 simple ways to support a friend feeling stressed this election season:
👂 Listen without judgment
📱 Share only positive and verified news
🌿 Remind them to rest
🤗 Encourage breaks from heated debates

Together, we can make this season calmer, kinder, and more peaceful. 🌿

20/10/2025

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄: 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

We wish to inform our esteemed participants, partners, and the general public that “The Healing Palette” themed “Healing, Hope, and Resilience through Art: Access to Mental Health Services in Catastrophes and Emergencies” originally scheduled for October 24, 2025, has been postponed.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝑶𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒃𝒆𝒓 31, 2025.

This adjustment has been made to ensure smooth coordination and maximum participation. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your kind understanding.

𝑊𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒.

We look forward to hosting you for a creative and inspiring experience centered on healing, hope, and resilience through art.

Thank you for your continued support.

15/10/2025

Affirmation for Strong Minds, Strong Democracies

In the midst of election season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But today, we remind ourselves of a powerful truth:

"I choose peace. I choose clarity. I choose resilience."

This affirmation isn’t just words — it’s a mindset. A reminder that our mental well-being is as crucial as our vote. By choosing peace and clarity, we empower ourselves to make decisions that strengthen democracy.

Let’s take a collective breath and reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful, thoughtful election process.



Policy Lab for Civic Innovation and Community Solutions U.S. Embassy Yaounde UK in Cameroon UNFPA Cameroon IOM - UN Migration We Are Family Foundation United Nations African Union Mental Health Movement Mental Health Reform Africa

14/10/2025

The presidential election has come and gone but for many Cameroonians, the waiting continues. As the nation anticipates the official results, emotions are running high: tension, sleepless nights, endless news updates, and heated debates.

This period can silently take a toll on our mental health. The uncertainty, the pressure, and the fear of what comes next can lead to stress and anxiety that often go unnoticed.

The campaign is here to remind us that democracy is not just about counting votes it’s about protecting minds and preserving peace. 🧘‍♀️

Take a pause. Breathe. Step back from the noise when you need to. Your peace of mind is not a sign of indifference it’s a sign of strength. 💚



Policy Lab for Civic Innovation and Community Solutions UNFPA Cameroon IOM - UN Migration We Are Family Foundation Mental Health Movement Mental Health Reform Africa African Union United Nations

13/10/2025

The Role of Social Media in Election Stress

In today’s connected world, social media plays a powerful role in shaping our emotions during elections.
While it helps us stay informed, it can also heighten tension, anxiety, and misinformation if used without care.

Here are a few mindful habits to protect your peace online:
✅ Take breaks from heated political debates.
✅ Verify before you share — your credibility matters.
✅ Follow accounts that promote calm, truth, and dialogue.
✅ Mute or unfollow toxic spaces when needed.

Let’s remember — strong democracies need healthy minds.
Every scroll is a choice between chaos and calm. Choose wisely.



IOM - UN Migration UNFPA Cameroon Policy Lab for Civic Innovation and Community Solutions We Are Family Foundation UK in Cameroon U.S. Embassy Yaounde Mental Health Movement African Union

10/10/2025

Across Cameroon, survivors of gender-based violence, displaced teenage mothers, and vulnerable communities continue to carry the silent burden of trauma. Access to mental health support is limited, and many navigate crisis without safe spaces to express and process their emotions.

For two years, Safe Haven Foundation has created safe, inclusive environments where individuals can heal, reflect, and reclaim hope. This World Mental Health Day, we invite you to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞, part of our 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒈𝒏. Through painting, self-love collages, and letting-go art, participants will engage in guided creative expression that nurtures resilience, self-worth, and emotional release.

Through this activity, we are giving access just as this year’s theme emphasizes to mental health support and healing spaces for those most affected by crises and emergencies. A panel discussion will also explore how mental health services can be more accessible to vulnerable populations across Cameroon.

📅 Date: October 24, 2025
📍 Venue: Yaoundé (to be announced)
💚 Free participation — participants selected based on registration

👉🏽 Register here: https://forms.gle/AwMhdPjo7ZeoGN9dA

This World Mental Health Day, we continue our mission: providing access, care, and creative spaces where survivors and vulnerable communities can truly heal.


Association for Mental Health Awareness and Care Cameroon UNFPA Cameroon Urgent Action Fund-Africa African Union/Centre for Girls and Women's Education in Africa - AU/CIEFFA We Are Family Foundation Rural Women Action on Street Health Mental Health Movement UK in Cameroon Sisterspeak237 Bureau régional GIZ Yaoundé UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Ambassade de France au Cameroun Goethe-Institut Camer Today

10/10/2025

💚 World Mental Health Day 2025
Theme: “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”

When crisis strikes, the world counts the damage, the homes swept away by floods, the communities displaced by war, the crops lost to drought, the lives torn apart by violence. But few stop to count the invisible losses: the peace that never returns, the dreams that die quietly, the minds still trapped long after the body escapes.

At SafeHavenFoundatio, we see those invisible wounds every day in the eyes of survivors, in the silence between words, in the trembling hands that reach for healing. Behind every statistic of crisis is a story of a person trying to hold on. The woman who was r***d while fleeing conflict and now struggles to trust again. The teenage mother displaced by violence, carrying both a child and a heavy silence. The family that lost everything to floods and still wakes at night to the sound of water. The young man who escaped war but not the nightmares that followed him.

This year’s theme, “Access to Services — Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” could not be more urgent. In times of crisis, mental health is often the last thing considered yet it is the first thing broken. Many survivors are left without access to counseling, safe spaces, or trained professionals. Their trauma festers in silence, deepening the pain that physical recovery alone cannot erase.

But healing is not a luxury, it is a right.
Access to mental health services is not optional, it is essential.

That’s why Safe Haven Foundation continues to stand with survivors of gender-based violence, displacement, and crisis. We create spaces where voices can be heard, pain can be acknowledged, and healing can begin. We provide psychosocial support, mental health awareness, and digital empowerment tools because true healing means being seen, supported, and equipped to thrive again.

This World Mental Health Day, we call on everyone communities, institutions, and leaders to make access a promise, not a privilege. To ensure that when disaster strikes, mental health support is part of the response, not an afterthought.

Because when we heal the mind, we rebuild the person.
And when we rebuild the person, we restore the community. 💚


UK in Cameroon IOM - UN Migration UNFPA Cameroon UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women We Are Family Foundation Association for Mental Health Awareness and Care Cameroon Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism High Commission of Canada to Cameroon Commy M***a Nakinti Besumbu Nofuru

09/10/2025

🧠 World Mental Health Day – October 10, 2025

This year, we unite under the theme: "Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies."

In times of crisis—be it conflict, disaster, or health emergencies—mental well-being often takes a backseat. Yet, it's during these very moments that psychological support becomes crucial for recovery and rebuilding.

At Safe Haven Foundation, we stand in solidarity with those affected, advocating for accessible mental health services and emphasizing the importance of psychosocial support in emergency settings.

On October 10, let's raise our voices to ensure that mental health is prioritized in every emergency response. Together, we can make a difference.



United Nations Human Rights Central Africa Regional Office United Nations IOM - UN Migration Mental Health Reform Africa Mental Health Movement UNFPA Cameroon We Are Family Foundation

09/10/2025

5 Tips to Protect Your Mental Well-being During Election Season 🗳🧠

Post Body:
Election seasons can be intense — online debates, misinformation, and constant news cycles often leave us drained. While civic engagement is vital, so is protecting our mental clarity and emotional resilience.

Here are 5 research-informed tips to stay grounded:

1 - Limit doomscrolling – Constant updates can fuel anxiety. Schedule time for news, not obsession.

2 - Prioritize rest – Sleep boosts cognitive decision-making and reduces stress.

3 - Move your body – Even a short walk daily helps regulate mood.

4 - Talk to real people – Replace online arguments with calm, in-person conversations.

5 - Stay hydrated – Your brain functions better when your body is supported.

A clear mind is one of the greatest tools we can bring to the ballot.

Let’s remember: Strong Minds Build Stronger Democracies.



Policy Lab for Civic Innovation and Community Solutions IOM - UN Migration UK in Cameroon UNFPA Cameroon UNFPA Association for Mental Health Awareness and Care Cameroon African Union U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa We Are Family Foundation

08/10/2025

Even civic engagement can come with stress.
As election season heats up, anxiety and tension can easily build — in workplaces, communities, and conversations.

Here’s one quick grounding technique that helps:
The 4–4–6 breathing method:

- Inhale for 4 seconds

- Hold for 4

- Exhale for 6

Repeat five times and notice how your body relaxes.
When we regulate our minds, we contribute to more thoughtful, balanced participation in democracy.

Strong Minds Build Stronger Democracies.


IOM - UN Migration UK in Cameroon U.S. Embassy Yaounde We Are Family Foundation Mental Health Innovation Network Mental Health Movement UNICEF Cameroon African Union UNFPA Cameroon UNFPA Policy Lab for Civic Innovation and Community Solutions

08/10/2025

We’re deeply grateful to have Policy Lab for Civic Innovation and Community Solutions join the campaign! 💚
Their commitment to promoting thoughtful civic engagement and centering mental health in democratic participation perfectly aligns with our mission at Safe Haven Foundation.

As emotions rise during election season, let’s remember: protecting your mind is just as important as protecting your vote. 🗳️🕊️

Together, we’re building a culture of calm, empathy, and resilience because strong democracies begin with strong minds.

UK in Cameroon IOM - UN Migration UN Trust Fund to End Violence against WomenUNFPA World Movement for Democracy Ministère de la Jeunesse et de l'Education Civique 237 Defyhatenow_WCA United Nations Development Programme - UNDP

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐀𝐭𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧!

At Politicos, we believe democracy thrives when citizens are not only informed but also mentally and emotionally well. That’s why we are proud to announce our partnership with Safe Haven Foundation in their inspiring campaign. 💚

This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to foster thoughtful, responsible civic engagement. As election season heightens emotions and tensions, we recognize the need to center mental health, peace, and empathy in how we participate, discuss, and decide.

Together with Safe Haven Foundation, we will amplify messages that remind citizens to protect both their votes and their minds, encouraging a culture of calm and resilience before, during, and after the polls.

Because a truly strong democracy is built not just on ballots but on balanced, healthy minds.

07/10/2025

Let’s Talk: Election Season & Mental Health

Every election season, we talk about policies, manifestos, and turnout, but we rarely talk about the emotional toll that comes with it.

For many people, the lead-up to elections brings increased anxiety, sleepless nights, social conflict, and information overload.

Stress doesn’t make us better citizens, it clouds judgment, fuels division, and wears down resilience.

That’s why at Safe Haven Foundation, our campaign Well-being at the Ballot is asking an important question today:

👉 Do elections affect your stress levels?

Your voice helps us understand the silent struggles of civic participation and how we can create systems that support both democracy and mental health.

🗳 Let’s start this conversation. Take the poll. Share your story. Let’s choose peace at the ballot.



U.S. Embassy Yaounde UK in Cameroon UNICEF Cameroon African Union UNFPA Cameroon Association for Mental Health Awareness and Care Cameroon IOM - UN Migration United Nations United Nations Human Rights Central Africa Regional Office