Growing Up With Invisible Struggles
How do you explain something you can barely understand yourself? For many Ethiopian students, mental health challenges remain invisible.
Youth-Led Initiative from Ethiopia
Breaking the Silence on Youth Mental Health
We are a coalition of 27 students from six secondary schools in Addis Ababa, building peer support networks and transforming how Ethiopian youth talk about mental health.
0Student Advocates
0Partner Schools
0Lives Touched
Who We Are
Ethiopian Students Taking Action for Mental Health
ROVI is students helping students navigate the challenges of growing up in a world that often expects us to stay silent about our struggles.
Founded in Addis Ababa by young people who understand what it means to face anxiety, pressure, and uncertainty, we have built a community where it is okay to not be okay.
Our trained peer counselors listen without judgment, recognize when professional help is needed, and serve as the first line of support for classmates who have nowhere else to turn.
14Trained Counselors
8Youth Supported
23Blog Posts
What We Do
Our Approach to Youth Mental Health
Young people are the best advocates for their generation. Here is how we make a difference in Ethiopian schools.
Peer Counselor Training
We train students to become mental health first responders equipped with active listening skills, crisis recognition, and referral protocols.
Direct Support Networks
We provide ongoing support structures for students who need consistent care, connecting them with understanding peers who truly listen.
Awareness Through Stories
Through our blog, we share real experiences and practical advice, helping students feel less alone in their struggles.
School Workshops
Interactive sessions that break stigma, teach coping strategies, and create safe spaces for open conversations about mental health.
Resource Library
Curated mental health resources including self-help guides, emergency contacts, and educational materials in Amharic and English.
Crisis Response
Trained to recognize warning signs and connect students in crisis with professional mental health services and emergency support.
Our Impact
Numbers That Tell Our Story
Every number represents a student who felt heard, a counselor who learned to help, or a story that deserved to be told.
0Youth Supported
0Peer Counselors
0Coalition Members
0Blog Posts
0Readers Reached
Our Network
Partner Schools
Students from six secondary schools make up our coalition across Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Lebawi International Academy
Lideta Catholic Cathedral School
Safari Academy
Cruise School
School of Tomorrow
Hillside School
Founder & Lead BloggerMeet the Founder
Biniyam Bonger
I started ROVI when I was 18 because I saw too many classmates struggling in silence. In Ethiopian culture, we don't always talk about mental health — it is often seen as weakness or something to hide from others.
But I knew from personal experience that staying silent only makes things harder. I wanted to create a space where students could support each other, where asking for help was seen as strength, not weakness.
What began as a personal blog has grown into a movement of 27 students across six schools, with 14 trained peer counselors and thousands of readers who have found hope in our stories.
“Mental health is not a Western concept imported to Ethiopia. It is a human reality that exists everywhere. We just need permission to acknowledge it and support each other through it.”
From Our Blog
Latest Stories & Insights
Personal reflections, research-informed ideas, and honest conversations about youth mental health in Ethiopia.
Self-Check
Quick Mental Health Check-In
Take a moment to reflect on how you have been feeling lately. This is not a diagnosis — just a starting point for self-awareness.
How Are You Really Doing?
Answer these questions honestly. Your responses stay private on your device.
1. Over the past two weeks, how often have you felt overwhelmed by stress?
2. How often have you had trouble sleeping or sleeping too much?
3. Have you felt disconnected from friends, family, or activities you usually enjoy?
4. How often have you felt hopeless about the future?
5. Do you have someone you can talk to when things get difficult?
Your Results
Important: This is not a clinical assessment. If you are struggling, please reach out to a trusted adult, school counselor, or contact us.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ROVI and how we can support you.
ROVI is a youth-led mental health initiative founded in 2024 by Ethiopian students in Addis Ababa. What began as a personal blog grew into a coalition of 27 students across six schools who are trained to support their peers.
You can reach out through our contact page, email us at admin@rovi.et, or connect with a peer counselor if you attend one of our partner schools. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength.
We welcome students who want to make a difference! Apply through our Join Us page. We have roles including peer counselors, blog writers, event volunteers, and school ambassadors. We provide all necessary training.
No. Peer counselors are trained listeners who provide emotional support, not clinical treatment. For serious conditions, professional help is essential. Our counselors are trained to recognize when to refer to professionals.
Yes. Confidentiality is fundamental to what we do. The only exceptions are if you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or someone else, or if you disclose abuse.
Parents can support by encouraging open mental health conversations at home. Teachers can help by allowing workshops and integrating mental health awareness into school culture. Contact us at admin@rovi.et.
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Have questions, want to partner, or need support? We are here to listen.
Reach Out Anytime
Whether you need support, want to volunteer, or have questions about our work, we would love to hear from you.
Send Us a Message
Thank you! Your message has been sent. We will respond within 24–48 hours.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Whether you need support, want to become a peer counselor, or wish to partner with us — we want to hear from you. Together, we can break the silence on youth mental health in Ethiopia.