Chef Abbys has successfully hosted her first-ever mental health programme, The Reset Retreat, bringing together young people for a day of honest conversations, reflection, connection and practical discussions focused on mental well-being.
Held on Tuesday, August 12, at No. 9 in Accra to mark International Youth Day, the free programme was created as a safe and supportive space for Africa’s youth to pause from the pressures of everyday life, reflect on their experiences and engage in meaningful conversations about their mental health.
The initiative, hosted by Chef Abbys, placed mental well-being at the centre of the International Youth Day celebrations, highlighting the importance of creating spaces where young people can speak openly about the challenges they face without fear of judgement or stigma.
Creating Space for Honest Conversations
A major focus of The Reset Retreat was helping participants better understand mental health and recognise when they or someone close to them may be struggling.
The programme featured conversations around recognising the signs of mental health challenges, breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, and understanding when and how to seek professional help.
The discussions also emphasised the importance of paying attention to emotional and psychological well-being before challenges become overwhelming.
Participants were encouraged to understand that struggling with mental health does not make anyone weak and that asking for support can be an important part of taking care of oneself.
Navigating Social Media Pressure
Another key conversation centred on the growing influence of social media on the mental well-being of young people.
With social media increasingly shaping how young people see themselves, measure success and interact with others, the retreat explored how to navigate the pressure that can come with constantly being exposed to carefully curated versions of other people’s lives.
The session encouraged young people to become more conscious of the impact digital spaces can have on their confidence, self-image and overall mental well-being, while finding healthier ways to engage with social media.
An Impressive Lineup of Speakers
The Reset Retreat brought together an impressive lineup of speakers from different backgrounds, allowing participants to hear diverse perspectives and experiences around mental health, personal development, wellness and navigating life as a young person.
The speakers included Berla Mundi, Godwin Namboh, Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, Dr. Ateko Bobson, Jahara Osman, Anthea Crabbe and Dr. Afia Agyinsam Amponsah, with Mieke Turkson serving as moderator.
Through the different sessions and conversations, the speakers shared their experiences, insights and practical perspectives with attendees, helping to create an environment where mental health could be discussed openly and without the usual barriers surrounding the subject.
Wellness, Creativity and Community
Beyond the conversations, The Reset Retreat was designed around the broader themes of wellness, creativity, connection and community.
The programme provided young people with an opportunity to step away from the pressures of daily life, spend time with others facing similar experiences and reflect on the importance of taking care of their mental and emotional well-being.
The free nature of the event also reflected its focus on accessibility, allowing young people to participate in an environment where conversations about mental health were not limited by financial barriers.
For Chef Abbys, the retreat represented a significant personal milestone as her first-ever mental health programme and an opportunity to use her platform to contribute to a conversation that continues to be important for young people across Africa.
A Call to Prioritise Mental Well-Being
At the heart of The Reset Retreat was a simple but important message: young people should not have to struggle in silence.
From recognising the signs of mental health challenges to breaking the stigma around seeking help and learning how to navigate social media pressure, the programme encouraged participants to take their mental well-being seriously.
It also reinforced the idea that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather an important act of self-awareness and strength.
As young people across Africa continue to navigate academic, professional, financial, social and digital pressures, initiatives such as The Reset Retreat provide an important platform for conversations that are often overlooked.
By bringing young people, mental health professionals, creatives and public figures together in one space, Chef Abbys’ initiative created an opportunity for participants to reflect, connect, learn and reset.
The successful maiden edition of The Reset Retreat therefore served as more than an International Youth Day event. It was a meaningful step towards making conversations around mental health more open, accessible and normalised among young people, while reminding them that prioritising their well-being is just as important as pursuing their ambitions.