People Power series: Living experience as evidence – Odireleng Kasale, Botswana

Odireleng is in long term recovery after suffering a period of substance and alcohol misuse. Having found it difficult to find the right support in Botswana, it was at a rehabilitation centre in South Africa where she had the breakthrough that set her on the road to recovery.

Inspired by the care and support she had received, which transformed her life, she decided to train as an addiction counsellor and share her learning to help others. She got in touch with the only local public centre for addiction and mental health treatment in Botswana. Odireleng was keen to use her lived experience to help others.

Odireleng experiences stigma on account of her substance and alcohol misuse, which unfairly impacts her credibility when advocating for the wellness of others experiencing similar challenges.

This article is an excerpt from the publication ‘People power - Perspectives from individuals with lived experience of noncommunicable diseases, mental health conditions and neurological conditions’, which includes six detailed case studies from 12 individuals with lived experience of diverse health conditions.

The case studies were developed using participatory research through focus groups with people with lived experience of NCDs, mental health conditions and neurological conditions.