Discover how Occupational Therapist Darrell Ngove transformed his personal struggles into "Oasis," an innovative mental health venture creating refreshing outdoor experiences for university students in Zimbabwe. This inspiring story showcases a creative approach to combating mental health stigma while building a sustainable business that helps young adults thrive despite academic and social pressures.
In a society where mental health struggles remain shrouded in silence, the statistics tell a disturbing tale. Suicide and substance abuse among young adults and university students continue to climb at an alarming rate worldwide—a glaring signal of neglected psychological wellbeing in this vulnerable demographic. As technology advances and media perpetuates unrealistic standards, human connections fray, further deteriorating our collective mental state.
Recognizing this growing crisis and the particularly harsh stigma surrounding mental health discussions in African communities, Darrell Ngove, an Occupational Therapist, launched an innovative and profitable solution. Several years after completing his degree at the University of Zimbabwe, he established "Oasis"—an organization dedicated to providing mental health services with a special focus on tertiary students.
Darrell's motivation stemmed from personal experience. As an undergraduate, he struggled without anyone to confide in about personal and academic challenges. He observed how students often maintain façades of perfect control, desperately seeking social approval. He identified four primary stressors affecting students—accommodation, transport, food, and entertainment—compounded by relentless academic pressures and the looming specter of failure.
Oasis aims to alleviate these burdens while combating mental health stigma. Their signature "Catch-up sessions" bring together intimate groups of no more than 30 students in relaxing outdoor settings. Participants pay to engage in refreshing games, artistic expression through painting, and team-building exercises—all designed to release tension while creating a safe space for mental health discussions. Quality food and beverages complement these activities, with each session crafted as a unique experience that leaves students eagerly anticipating the next gathering.
"The Oasis experience is meant to give someone a boost of positive energy," Darrell explains. He firmly believes everyone possesses the internal resources to address their mental challenges, but many lack confidence or self-esteem to tap into these solutions. The Catch-up sessions expose students to refined experiences, transforming their outlook on life. True to its name, Oasis creates a haven away from academic pressures and constraints.
When questioned about affordability for financially-strapped students, Darrell confidently asserts that students actually have access to disposable income from parents and guardians. He maintains that young adults can allocate funds toward recreation more readily than other demographics, and that an Oasis experience represents an essential investment in mental wellbeing. Looking forward, the business plans to forge partnerships with transportation, catering, and real estate providers to offer students affordable, quality services—easing their burdens and allowing greater focus on education. A "Couples' Oasis" experience is also in development, designed to strengthen bonds between young partners.
Darrell's problem-solving orientation emerged early in life. Often alone as a child and frequently changing schools, he learned to entertain himself and develop independent thinking. Before Oasis, he conceptualized the Alpine Therapeutic Group, aimed at providing occupational therapy to elderly individuals—a venture he ultimately shelved due to intensive resource requirements. Drawing inspiration from historical figures like King Mutapa, known for tremendous wealth and regional influence in Southern Africa, Darrell maintains that perception shapes reality: "If you view the world as a place where you can prosper and thrive, you start identifying opportunities but if you see the world as a dark place full of tyranny then, that is what you experience
