Promoting Mental Health through Virtual Reality

by | Mar 14, 2025 | News & Activities

We all know that taking care of our physical and mental well-being is crucial, but sometimes, traditional methods can feel a bit disconnected or challenging to maintain. That’s why our lifelong fellow, Leoni Wainwright, who is a public health professional, recently explored a new approach called the Uzazi Wena Virtual Reality (VR) for well-being programme. This innovative programme combines the power of conscious breathing techniques with VR experiences to help enhance both physical and mental health. The foundation of the VR for well-being programme revolves around conscious breathing.
René Sparks
Two key techniques are at the core of this approach: Belly Breathing (also known as Diaphragmatic Breathing) and the 4-7-8 Breath. Both have proven benefits and play a significant role in promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Together, these techniques are powerful tools for combating stress, lowering heart rates, and activating the body’s relaxation response. They can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and even foster greater emotional regulation.
As Leoni discovered, breathing exercises like these also help promote mindfulness, resulting in clearer thinking, better decision-making, and increased focus. Over time, they can even improve sleep quality, increase energy levels, and create a more balanced, harmonious life, benefiting both the mind and the body. While breathing techniques on their own are incredibly effective, the VR experience takes this practice to the next level. The programme creates immersive, visually appealing, and interactive environments that help participants stay fully engaged in their practice methods.

The VR not only enhances the breathing exercises but also helps participants stay connected to the moment, making it easier to fully embrace the practice and its benefits.

“It’s important to understand that the well-being programme is not a replacement for psychosocial support services. Instead, it serves as an enhancement, offering a deeper, more immersive experience that complements other well-being practices. The goal is to provide individuals with a tool to reduce stress, cultivate mindfulness, and improve mental health through a more interactive and engaging approach,” says Leoni.

Sphesihle Dube, Tekano’s Partnership Manager, shares his experience “the VR session facilitated by Leoni as part of her SCI initiative was deeply immersive and thoughtfully crafted. I often neglect the importance of pausing, breathing, reflecting, and healing. This innovative tool is an impactful way to promote wellness for all participants, and I’m eager to join the next session with Leoni and her team.”

In today’s fast-paced world, finding ways to reduce stress and nurture mental wellbeing is more important than ever. The VR experience programme shows that when we combine powerful techniques like conscious breathing with the immersive nature of virtual reality, we open up new possibilities for enhancing our overall health.

 

The VR experience programme part of the work supported by Tekano. Tekano has, to date, supported various bodies of work through Social Change Initiatives in several key areas. These include food sovereignty, food systems, and food sustainability, with a focus on farming and gardening innovations; land, housing, and water; sexual and reproductive health and rights, which encompasses abortion, menstrual hygiene, and advancing access for deaf women; the decriminalisation of sex work; mental health and its intersections with art and music; the links between mental health and unemployment; National Health Insurance; eye health; and improving access to healthcare for rural communities.