This week in Johannesburg, South Africa, TikTok held its first-ever Digital Well-being Summit in Africa. Policymakers, mental health experts, creators, and NGOs from across the continent (Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana) came together to talk about how to make the internet less overwhelming and more helpful, especially for young people.
“People come to TikTok to learn, share their experiences, and connect with communities around the world. That is why we work collaboratively with our partners to build a digital space that reflects our collective commitment to safety, innovation, and positive social impact,” says Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, TikTok.
TikTok also came prepared with some major updates and features aimed at helping Africans manage their digital lives better. From mental health support to meditation features, here’s everything they’re rolling out:
1. Meditation Is Now Built Into TikTok
TikTok is now offering a guided meditation feature within the app. It’s part of a tool called Sleep Hours, which automatically kicks in at 10pm for users under 18 (older users can opt in too). The idea? Help people, especially teens, wind down, breathe easier, and stop scrolling endlessly when they should be getting some rest.
Mindful meditation is proven to help with sleep and emotional balance, and TikTok wants to help young users develop healthier nighttime habits without shaming them for being online.
2. A $2.3 Million Mental Health Fund—Now Open to African Organisations
TikTok’s Mental Health Education Fund, which launched in 2023, just expanded to include Sub-Saharan Africa. For the first time, African mental health organisations will get funding and support to create content that tackles stigma and spreads mental health awareness.
The first three African partners are:
- South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)
- Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI)
- Kenya’s Mental360
Expect to see more local, relatable, and culturally relevant mental health content from these organisations, with the help of TikTok’s ad power and platform reach.
3. In-App Helplines for When You Need Real Support
In the coming weeks, African users will start seeing local mental health helplines directly inside the TikTok app, especially when they’re reporting content related to suicide, self-harm, bullying, hate, or harassment.
It’s like TikTok saying, “Hey, we’re taking this seriously,” and offering real-time access to counselling and mental health resources, not just content removals. These helplines have already been tested in Europe and are now making their way to the continent.
“TikTok is committed to user safety and community well-being and provides tools and protections to help our community enjoy their experience on the platform. But to achieve this, we all need to play a very vital role in fostering a secure and respectful environment,” says Mercy Kimaku, Regional Risk Prevention Lead (Sub-Saharan Africa).
4. Mental Health Ambassadors Are Here to Talk You Through the Tough Stuff
TikTok is also teaming up with the World Health Organization to introduce its first-ever Mental Health Ambassadors from across Africa. These are verified medical professionals who’ll be sharing expert advice and relatable content on mental health, emotional well-being, and how to deal with online stress.
Meet the first African ambassadors:
- Sanam Naran (South Africa)
- Dr Claire Kinuthia (Kenya)
- Doctor Wales (Nigeria)
- Doctor Siya (South Africa)
They’ll be popping up more in your feed. Think of them as your TikTok-friendly therapists in your pocket.
5. #MentalHealthMatters Is Getting Bigger
If you’ve seen the hashtag #MentalHealthMatters around TikTok, you’re not alone. TikTok says it’s doubling down on this campaign to keep pushing conversations about self-care, therapy, anxiety, and mental health into the mainstream.
So next time you see a TikTok reminding you to take a break or breathe, don’t scroll past too quickly.
Why This Matters
TikTok knows it’s a huge part of many people’s daily lives, especially young Africans. These updates show that the platform is paying attention to how being online affects mental health, and it’s trying to create tools that actually help, not just keep people scrolling.
It’s not perfect, but it’s a step forward. And with African organisations now getting direct support, the conversation around mental health is finally becoming a lot more local, and a lot more real.
