Aurora Institute
What does your company do?
My organisation is dedicated to improving mental health support and awareness in underserved communities, with a focus on youth, learners with special educational needs, and individuals living with mental conditions. We offer psychoeducation, counselling, mentorship, and early intervention services. As a qualified Educational Psychologist with a Master’s degree and currently pursuing my PhD, I use my training to provide accessible, community-based mental health support.
Our work includes running school workshops, career and psychological assessments, and supporting learners and families with limited access to private care. I also aim to train future mental health professionals, bridging the gap created by the shortage of psychologists in South Africa. The organisation is grounded in both professional expertise and personal experience. As someone living with a mental health condition myself, I understand the impact of not receiving help, and I am committed to changing that for others.
What is your biggest success?
One of my greatest achievements has been successfully graduating nine counselling interns, who are now registered with the ASCHP (Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners) and making an impact in their own communities. I also created employment opportunities for three qualified counsellors, who now serve as mentors and supervisors within our organisation.
Through this model, we’re not only expanding mental health services but also building a sustainable pipeline of professionals. I am proud of the role we’ve played in reducing stigma around mental health, especially in underserved areas where silence and misunderstanding are still common. Knowing that lives are being changed because of the support and education we provide often for free or at minimal cost; is what keeps me going.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
One of the biggest hurdles has been marketing the internship programme, which is the organisation’s primary source of income. Interns pay for training, supervision, and the required practical hours to register with the ASCHP, but attracting consistent enrolment has been challenging. Some potential applicants are sceptical about the legitimacy of the organisation because it is still fairly new, despite the strong outcomes we’ve already achieved.
Building trust, increasing visibility, and proving the credibility of our services and training model has required continuous effort. Additionally, balancing the financial needs of the organisation while trying to keep the programme affordable has been difficult, especially as we aim to remain accessible and continue making a social impact.
