Article
Mental health is a significant concern in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly among the youth. According to UNICEF, 39% of the 4,829 adolescents surveyed in BiH report experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, with 53% expressing a need for more information. These statistics underscore the urgent necessity for comprehensive support systems and 
resources. Furthermore, a 2016 study indicates that young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina may still be affected by wartime traumas passed down from their parents, especially if the parents were victims of violence, witnessed atrocities, or committed war crimes.
Recognizing these challenges, Sarajevo Fellows Joon Baek, Ali Musić, Khatra Nur, and Wendi Zhou initiated a Sarajevo-centered social media campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the diverse experiences of mental health among young people in BiH today, seeking to destigmatize mental health discussions and provide support to those in need.
Project Objectives
The primary objective of the project was to raise awareness of mental health issues through a social media campaign. The team created Instagram and TikTok accounts to feature video interviews with young Sarajevo residents, who shared their personal stories and highlighted the prevalence of mental health problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Project Activities
1. Campaign Naming and Branding:
The team brainstormed and selected the name **’Sarajevska narativa’** to reflect their mission of storytelling from Sarajevo. The title, although in Bosnian, is accessible to English speakers. They designed a logo featuring an animated traditional Bosnian coffee cup with the Sarajevo mountains in the background, symbolizing the city’s cultural identity.
2. Social Media Campaign Launch:
The team established Instagram and TikTok accounts for the campaign, aiming to engage the audience visually and emotionally.
3. Content Creation and Interviews:
By leveraging personal connections from Humanity in Action staff and local fellows, the team secured four interviewees. Three participated in video interviews, and one shared their story anonymously in a written post. They acquired filming equipment, coordinated schedules, and edited the interviews using Adobe Premiere Rush. Each interview was reviewed and approved by the interviewee before being shared on their platforms.
