At just 23 years old, mental health advocate Flora Sewa is breaking barriers in Malawi’s mental health landscape.
The final-year psychology student at Blantyre International University of Malawi, Flora has launched an online mental health platform, Sewa’s Blossoms Mind Therapy, to provide mental health support to young people across the country.
As someone being raised by a single mother after her father passed when she was two years old and as the only child with step siblings from her father’s side, Flora made it a point to please her mother by reaching this far as a psychology student and now owns a firm.
Hobbies? Flora is a bookworm who enjoys reading, especially psychology books.
“I have always dreamt of being a psychologist and I make sure I get knowledgeable about it most of my time,” she said.
Besides books Flora also enjoys sports, especially volleyball and she is in the school team.
Meditating also helps her and is a part of her hobbies too.
Music calms her down after a long day from both work and school and her favourite artists are Lawi and Billie Eilish. “
“From Lawi I like the song Therere and Wildlife from Billie Eilish,” she said.
Flora’s journey into mental health advocacy began with a personal struggle.
“During a tough time in my life, I felt lost and sad, that’s when I realised I needed help,” she said.
Flora further explained how tackling school, relationships and family issues felt quite overwhelming.
“I was already studying psychology at that time and I decided in the midst of my struggles to use my experience to help others,” she said.
“That moment became the foundation of Sewa’s Blossoms Mind Therapy, a platform where I turn my struggles into strength and support those who are like me.”
With this, Flora saw an opportunity to help others who would feel the same way.
She wanted to create a safe space where people could find comfort and healing.
Blossoms Mind Therapy is a website that offers help to peer groups.
The platform also features interactive mental wellness challenges and guided meditation sessions tailored for young Malawians.
Launched on February 17 2025, Sewa’s Blossoms Mind Therapy has received remarkable feedback.
“Many students and young professionals feel overwhelmed, but they don’t always know where to seek help. I wanted to create a space where mental health is not a taboo, but something we can talk about openly,” she said.
Flora also said there are a different cases she handles, but mostly they are relationship related.
“Many people come to me dealing with trauma, breakups, toxic relationships, unrequited love, trust issues and emotional neglect which often lead to feelings of low self-worth, anxiety and deep sadness,” she said.
What sets Sewa’s Blossoms Mind Therapy apart is that it is a place where minds are heard and hearts healed.
“As they say charity begins at home, I make sure Malawians get the best services from Sewa and have good mental health,” she said of student mental health and advocate for institutional support.
So far, Flora has worked with over five organisations such as Light House , FOBEC in Rumphi and Light Wave Organisation from Malawi University Of Science and Technology which gave her the exepreince she has.
Despite her success, she has faced challenges.
“Convincing people that an online platform can provide real help was difficult,” she admits. “Many still believe that mental health support should only happen in a physical setting.”
Flora added that people do not even know much about mental health, which makes it a challenge.
She observed that openness becomes hard as people do not normally know what to do.
Flora hopes to expand her firm, but she has limitations in terms of funding.
“Sewa’s Blossoms Mind Therapy is self-initiated, therefore, is limited in terms of funding,” she said.
Her dream? To expand the platform beyond Malawi to bean international brand.
“I want youths all over to know that their mental well-being matters and that they are not alone,” she said.
For now, she is juggling her studies with running the platform.
“To be honest, it’s not easy to tackle two things at once. It needs discipline in a way as both need my attention, but now the firm also has professionals who help me out. It no longer becomes hard as we work hand in hand,” she said.
Flora encourages youths around the world to not hide behind closed doors when they need help.
She is willing to help spread mental health awareness.
“When you want to start something, go for it and start with what you have , the only limit is your mind,” said Flora.
