Riky Rick Foundation Enlists SA Artists In Push For Government Action On Mental Health
Riky Rick Foundation Enlists SA Artists In Push For Government Action On Mental Health. In an effort to tackle the urgent mental health crisis gripping South Africa, the Riky Rick Foundation has rallied the nation’s music industry to push for immediate government intervention.
Spearheaded in memory of Riky Rick who passed away after committing suicide, the foundation aims to raise awareness and prompt meaningful action to tackle mental health challenges affecting millions of individuals across the country.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the Riky Rick Foundation urged the government to allocate more funding to mental health services in South Africa. The statement indicated that currently, only 2% of the population is covered by the budget, leaving 75% without the necessary support to combat the mental health crisis.
“The current budget allocated to mental health is ONLY 2%, the stats paint a scary picture for us where 75% of South African’s don’t get to seek the help they need for mental health. An increase in public spend will go a long way in providing more access to mental health.” Read the statement.
“In honour of the message of hope shared through Riky Rick’s track ‘Stronger’, we believe that mental well-being needs to be a top concern for all of us. So, we encourage the minister and government to support our call by increasing spend on public mental health, so that more people can access the help they need.”
“Never forget that we are much stronger when we move together” – Riky
The foundation’s efforts have garnered significant support from artists, and producers who were friends to the late rapper Riky Rick. The likes of Moozlie, Cassper Nyovest, Robot Boii, Uncle Viny, and Elaine amongst others pleaded with the government to get involved in memory of Boss Zonke who also lost a battle with Mental Health.
