Blog post: IAYMH2025 Conference

The R-NEET project has a blog that will run for the duration of the project funding. In this post Associate doctoral candidate, Bongiwe Ncube, reflects on their experience of representing the R-NEET project at an international conference. The International Association for Youth Mental Health (IAYMH 2025) conference focused on creating a global blueprint for youth mental health prevention and care. As an R-NEET representative, Bongiwe presented on youth-community-university partnerships and co-designing mental health research. This first-time international experience in Vancouver was both overwhelming and empowering. As a Black,masculine-presenting woman in PhD studies, she navigated feelings of alienation in a space where few shared her identity. The conference highlighted the lack of Black and African voices in youth mental health discussions, both disheartening and motivating Bongiwe to continue advocating for the representation of Black voices in the field.