From Speaking Internationally to a Mental Health Nervous Breakdown

Meet the CEO and Founder, Oscillate Healing | A Launch Feature on World Mental Health Day on 10 October, 2020.

“I was met with the incomparable healing power of the pain I had been running from. Now I honor my pain. I welcome it as a friend who has come to help me heal wounds I forgot I had.” — Mpumi Nobiva

As Oscillate believes in the power of personal storytelling as a means of healing, I could not find a better way of introducing our vision than through sharing my own story:

Just over two years ago, I thought I was living my ‘best life.’ At 25, I had all the sparkles to show for it: the illustrious International Speaker and Communication Strategist career kick-off with an apartment in downtown Los Angeles, a job in technology leading and iterating a new program for a leadership software company, a seat at the table of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy board coupled with an even more illustrious social-business life that showcased an assortment of thrilling adventures spanning from movie premiers, international travels, a 10-city speaking tour across Canada (negotiations for a follow up 30-city tour across the United States); a historic commencement speech at Montverde Academy as the first and only African woman to address the institution; a growing social media presence with ‘followers’ in the thousands — not forgetting of course — heading three households back home while leading initiatives and campaigns, and somehow managing to complete my $65 000 Presidential Scholarship program sponsoring my master’s degree. Whew!

To many, myself front and center, I was thriving by all social standards. I thought I was winning since this was my American dream however internally — I was losing dismally. I turned myself into a mechanic monger, frivolously striving outwardly for validation while ignoring the strain in my personal relationships, my emptied out spiritual compass, and very weak connection to my inner self.

My name is Nompumelelo ‘Mpumi’ Nobiva and I grew up traumatized but did not know I was hurt. I couldn’t tell I was depressed. I thought that how I felt, even under any kind of stress, was normal. A part of life. Like many, I had normalized trauma because to be honest, everyone I knew growing up was also traumatized. Including those who raised me. As a result, I neglected my internal wounds and naturally focused on creating a better future, compared to my past which is plagued by poverty. I was driven by the fear of failure and neglected the signs in my life for healing. I buried myself in work and eventually crashed from a nervous breakdown.

I burned out because I was chasing mentally constructed images of ‘who I thought I was supposed to be,’ ever too afraid of being who I am born to be.

I was hospitalized in North America then South Africa, and later diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I felt alone, ashamed, and broken. I thought I had failed. Death loomed nearby. For a while, my life seemed grim. The pain I was feeling was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I thought I would never speak in public again. I believed I would never see the Light again, but still I refused to give up and kept treading through the mud until suddenly: I broke open.

I was met by the incomparable healing power of the pain I had been running from, for all these years I could not see that my pain was actually a friend who came to help me heal the wounds I forgot, I have.

Slowly, I began to open up about the emotional, mental, psychological, physical and even financial struggles I was facing, and soon realized I was not alone. Many of us silently live through such struggles on a daily basis. I was awakened to a new sense of curiosity, a childlike wonder which prompted me to make intentional use of the diverse knowledge and wisdoms on healing, self-help books, Eastern traditions and mindfulness techniques, African spiritual practices all of which — to this day — help me regulate, replenish, awaken and create my greatest desires.

It turns out that life is just getting started, and you can begin again too.

OSCILLATE: Challenging the Status Quo of Mental Health

Click here to access our trailer and here to enjoy our first episode for FREE.

A Launch Feature on World Mental Health Day on 10 October, 2020.

According to a renowned Sunday Times Exclusive, one third of all South Africans have mental illnesses — and 75% of them will not get any kind of help. “Furthermore, as many as one in six South Africans suffer from anxiety, depression or substance-use problems (and this does not include more serious conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), according to statistics released by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).” — South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP)

The above statistics highlight the dire state of mental health in South Africa. As we commemorate World Mental Health Day on 10 October and Mental Health Awareness Month, this year mental health challenges are further exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19. People in all sectors of society have not been left untouched by COVID-19. Since lockdown, concerns for mental health have been rising due to isolation, fear, anxiety of getting infected, loss of lives, and the impact of isolation on people with pre-existing mental health conditions. However, the pandemic also improved the openness to talk about mental health challenges. To this end, community organizations play a pivotal role in the intervention and response to this unprecedented new normal. It is in the context of encouraging conversations and sharing personal journeys on mental health at all levels of society that Oscillate was founded.

Oscillate is a global social enterprise that specialises in navigating mental health challenges with a growth mindset, compassion and focused intention. Through investment in systems, resources and tools, access to global mental health thought leaders from diverse backgrounds and contexts, Oscillate delivers specialized mental health solutions that are responsive to every aspect of society. We are honored to serve individuals through our monthly membership Journal & Intentional Wellness Programme (JIWP), employees in corporations and students in educational institutions through Afrocentric data driven curated workshops.

Click here to access our trailer and here to enjoy our first episode for FREE.

Oscillate Journal and Intention Wellness Programme

We are proud to launch our Journal and Intention Podcast, announcing our innovative membership programme for only R199.00/ $12 per month. Click here to access our trailer and here to enjoy our first episode for FREE. If ever you are feeling down or overwhelmed, remember to“Oscillate through the highs and lows, stressful and anxious, light and dark moments of life.” I can’t wait to meet you online! Visit www.oscillate.one to subscribe today.

What is the ‘Journal and Intention’ Wellness Programme?

A three tier self-development monthly membership programme sponsored by Oscillate Healing (PTY) Ltd. Newcomers can join the membership programme at www.oscillate.one for as little as R199.00/ $12 per month.

Monthly Podcast: we host a variety of experts on mental health who share insights, data, and experiences from clinical, traditional and all other encompassing spiritual perspectives. Note that spirituality speaks to mindfulness and awareness versus religious doctrine or dogma. We destigmatize, demystify, and deconstruct mental health.

Personalized Reflections: every month, our ecosystem distributes a wide variety of resources and information for strengthening our unique, creative healing processes. We share monthly intentions, positive affirmations to attract love, happiness and peace; and share techniques for self-care, and or meditation.

Monthly Webinar: we teach and apply the power of personal storytelling as a means of awakening and healing the inner Self. We value the impact the state of our mental health has on our personal identities. We use insights from our traumas and wounded selves to guide us in creating greater and healthier stories.

Visit www.oscillate.one to subscribe today.

Official Disclaimer: Oscillate’s programmes and materials are designed to inform and entertain — not provide medical advice. Viewers, users and consumers should always consult a doctor when it comes to their personal health, or before starting any treatment.

Many thanks,

Mpumi Nobiva and Team

Founder & CEO,

Master’s in Communication Strategy, International Speaker

Stay Connected:

Follow the Oscillate journey on https://www.oscillate.one/ & social media:

Instagram: @oscillate_healling @mpuminobiva

Twitter: @OscillateHeali1

Facebook: Oscillate Healing