Lwandile's Bio

I remember the time I often contemplated ending my life. I was full of shame and I did not know why. Emotionally dependent, melancholy and lonely, I found myself being subject to emotional abuse, somehow convincing myself that I deserved to suffer. My underlying psychic structure  made me vulnerable to multiple bouts of depression and chronic anxiety.

 Through years of extensive therapy and medication, I managed to get out of the hole I had been living in. After some time, I realised that yes, I’m out of the hole, but I wanted to do more that walk, I wanted to run… fly. I wanted to be at peace.

 I started exercising, exploring mindfulness practices and tapped deeper into my creative self. I soon realised that my experience was bigger than me, maybe even not about me.

 After I came to know grief through the loss of my mother, I became profoundly aware of the fragility of life. I had the resolve to find my calling. I found my calling in being a mental health professional.

Mental health care users are often stigmatised, vulnerable to abuse and grossly misunderstood and our mental health care system is currently in crisis. I plan to change this. JOMM wellness has become part of my vision to do so, one hike at a time, one mindfulness practice at a time, spreading healing, hope, compassion and love; empowering people through their life journey with the tools to cultivate their mental wellbeing.