Visa denial prevents Capital’s reporter from attending TikTok’s landmark summit
TikTok has announced a significant expansion of its global mental health initiatives to Sub-Saharan Africa during its inaugural Digital Well-being Summit in Johannesburg.
The summit brought together policymakers, mental health experts, NGOs, and industry leaders from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe to discuss strategies for improving digital well-being across the continent.
A key highlight of the event was the extension of TikTok’s USD 2.3 million Global Mental Health Education Fund to Sub-Saharan Africa, marking the first time organizations from the region will benefit from this fund.
These organizations will receive both funding and platform support to create culturally relevant, evidence-based content aimed at raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting open dialogue around mental health in African communities.
Building on successful pilots in Europe, TikTok will also launch in-app helpline resources across Africa. In the coming weeks, users in select African countries will have access to local helplines within the app, providing expert support for issues related to suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment. These helplines will offer counseling, advice, free psychological support, and other essential services.
As part of its commitment to digital well-being, TikTok has introduced a guided meditation experience within its “Sleep Hours” feature.
Automatically activated at 10:00 PM for users under 18, and optional for older users, this feature aims to help users unwind and establish healthier nighttime routines. Research suggests that mindful meditation can enhance sleep quality and emotional regulation, especially for teens navigating the pressures of a hyper-connected world.
According to information obtained by Capital from the event organizers, the summit also highlighted ongoing initiatives like TikTok’s #MentalHealthMatters campaign, which promotes positive mental health practices worldwide. These efforts are designed to support balanced digital habits and provide communities with access to reliable information.
“We commend the private sector’s efforts to foster digital literacy and create a safer online environment for all. Such efforts reflect the collective responsibility of the government and the private sector to inspire creativity, empower communities, and connect young people to the digital world,” said Siviwe Gwarube, South Africa’s Minister of Basic Education, at the inaugural event.
In collaboration with the World Health Organization, TikTok has introduced its first-ever Mental Health Ambassadors from Africa. This diverse group of verified healthcare professionals will share expert advice and relatable content on mental health and emotional well-being.
These initiatives are part of TikTok’s broader strategy to proactively address digital harms through innovation, collaboration, and empathy, aiming to create responsible and empowering online environments for African users.
A Capital reporter, invited by TikTok South Africa to cover the Digital Well-being Summit in Johannesburg for Ethiopian audiences, was unable to travel after the South African Embassy in Addis Ababa denied his visa application, despite the reporter having visited the country multiple times before.
