Welcome to Wonder Woman Wednesday! Every Wednesday we feature women who are using their business or work as a force for good. The intention behind this blog is to raise awareness on the impact of doing good and to inspire others to think of ways in which they too can use their business or work as a force for good. By doing this we hope we will be creating a better community one business at a time and leaving this world a little bit better than we found it for future generations.

Tell us about your business and how you use your work as a force for good?

I am the founder of Mental Wellness Keys. My aim is to increase mental health literacy in communities that came from countries that do not have established mental health services like Zimbabwe where I come from. I see how migration affects people as they deal with the transition from living in a collective community to individualist communities like Australia. The social isolation, stress and worries sometimes can be overwhelming for people and they may struggle to navigate the Australian mental health system. The shame attached to mental illness is twice-fold in some communities and it is hard to find hope when there are no role models in the community to give people hope, normalise and destigmatise mental illness. I had to be that person. I wanted to help those people who are going through difficult times and think they are alone in the struggle. Having been diagnosed with depression, I knew how hard it is so I decided to share my personal story and use my professional knowledge and experience to help others and inspire them to seek help. I work with both government and non-government organisations facilitating mental health literacy clubs. I also work as a cultural advisor increasing the cultural intelligence of service providers with the hope that they offer culturally safe services and more people access the services available here in Australia.

What led you to using your business as a force for good?

My children push me to want better for people who look and talk like me. My help-seeking behaviours and those of many from developing countries start and end with religious and community elders. I decided to do the unconventional and sought help outside what I had always known and it worked. I now look after my mental health the same way I look after my physical health. I wanted my kids to grow up knowing that they too can ask for help and its okay to be vulnerable. They knew I was seeing a psychologist and I hope one day if they ever need one they can remember that their mum was not afraid of asking for help. I knew if I shared my story someone was bound to want to try seeking professional help. I wanted to be that person for my community and the generation after me. I share my story with no shame and I have people coming to thank me because for the first time they too no longer feel they have to struggle in silence.

What inspires you to make a difference in the lives of others?

The need to serve others. I have seen how migration affects migrants and refugees from developing countries. I know how powerful knowledge is in increasing health literacy. It is unfortunate in some communities, people seek help when their loved ones are too ill and I think, if only they had accessed services sooner. I gained strength to do the work I do because I showed up and was willing to be vulnerable in the eyes of those who viewed me as a strong African woman. I allowed myself to seek help and I hope others too will see that there is strength in allowing oneself to seek help without abandoning your culture.

What is one act that anyone can do today to make this world a better place?

Smile and volunteer for a good cause. The benefits are priceless!!.

Find out more about Tandi and the work she does here.

The Power of Hope