My name is Mugenyi Theresa Delia, a teenage girl whose early school years were not always easy. At a young age, I experienced persistent body shaming from some of my peers. Hurtful words about my appearance followed me in classrooms and playgrounds. Over time, those comments affected how I saw myself. I began to feel ashamed of who I was, and my confidence slowly faded. The emotional distress led to unhealthy coping behaviors, and at one point I nearly gave up on school completely.

Just when I felt like I could not continue, a caring school counselor noticed the change in me. Through patient conversations, encouragement, and guidance, she helped me understand that my worth was not defined by other people’s opinions. Step by step, I began rebuilding my confidence and learning to accept myself. That support changed my life.

My experience opened my eyes to a challenge faced by many students. In many schools, academic performance is highly valued, yet learners’ mental and emotional wellbeing is often overlooked. Body shaming and appearance-based bullying still exist, leaving many young people with low self-esteem, anxiety, and sometimes depression. These struggles can lead to absenteeism, poor academic performance, and even school dropouts.

Because of this, I believe that mental wellbeing must be treated as a foundation for academic success. Through my project, Strong Minds, Confident Future, I advocate for structured mental health awareness sessions, peer support programs, and stronger collaboration with school counselors. By creating safe and supportive learning environments, we can empower students to feel confident, valued, and ready to achieve their dreams.