The Life and Journey of Oyiti Amum

Oyiti Amum was known for his infectious smile, athletic talent, and dedication to his family and community. After graduating from high school, he joined the workforce, securing full-time employment at Reed Roo Services in Melbourne. As a storeman, he worked diligently in assembly-line production and dispatch, earning the respect of his colleagues for his reliability and strong work ethic.

But Oyiti’s heart was on the basketball court. His passion and talent for the sport led him to the United States, where he attended Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. There, he played college basketball, representing his team with pride and determination. For Oyiti, basketball was more than a sport; it was a pathway to personal growth, self-expression, and opportunity.

However, behind his achievements, Oyiti faced the immense pressures of balancing his identity as a South Sudanese Australian in a foreign country. He juggled cultural expectations, the demands of his athletic and academic commitments, and the internal struggles that many young people face. These pressures, compounded by the stigma surrounding mental health in his community, left Oyiti feeling isolated and unsupported.

Oyiti Amum: A Tragedy That Sparked a Movement for Change

In the heart of Melbourne’s South Sudanese community, the devastating loss of Oyiti Amum to suicide marked a turning point. Oyiti, a bright, kind, and promising young man, became one of the many young lives lost to mental health struggles in migrant communities. His death exposed a painful reality—mental health challenges, stigma, and lack of culturally responsive services were silently affecting South Sudanese and other African Australian youth. For his father, Nyibil Amum, the tragedy was more than a personal loss; it was a call to action.

Nyibil Amum turned his grief into a mission of hope and awareness. Determined to ensure no other family would endure the pain he experienced, Nyibil embarked on an extraordinary 1,000-kilometer walk from Melbourne to Sydney via Canberra. His goal was clear: to raise awareness about mental health, advocate for suicide prevention, and call for systemic change. This journey laid the foundation for the Oyiti Foundation for Multicultural Youth Inc., a unique organization dedicated to addressing the complex challenges faced by youth in migrant communities.

The Story Behind Oyiti’s Tragic Death

Oyiti Amum was much more than a statistic. He was a beloved son, brother, and friend who radiated warmth and potential. However, like many young people in the South Sudanese community, Oyiti struggled with the pressures of navigating life in a bicultural environment. Balancing the expectations of his family’s culture with those of Australian society created immense internal conflict. Systemic barriers such as racism, intergenerational trauma, and limited access to mental health support added further weight to his struggles.

Despite his outward strength, Oyiti battled silently with his mental health. His tragic decision to take his own life sent shockwaves through his family, friends, and the wider community. His death was not only a heartbreaking loss but also a powerful wake-up call. It revealed the gaps in Australia’s mental health system, especially when it came to culturally appropriate care for African Australian youth.

Nyibil Amum’s 1,000km Walk for Awareness

In the aftermath of Oyiti’s death, Nyibil Amum faced the unbearable grief of losing his son. Yet, in the depths of his sorrow, he found a profound sense of purpose. He vowed to honor Oyiti’s memory by bringing attention to the struggles of youth in migrant communities and advocating for solutions to prevent future tragedies.

In a remarkable act of determination and love, Nyibil decided to walk over 1,000 kilometers from Melbourne to Sydney, with a stop in Canberra, to meet with government officials and share his son’s story. His journey was symbolic—a father walking through pain, one step at a time, to spark change and create hope.

Carrying a message of love and resilience, Nyibil walked through cities, towns, and rural areas, engaging with people from all walks of life. He shared his story and advocated for mental health and suicide prevention, particularly in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. His efforts culminated in meetings with policymakers, including the Hon. David Coleman, then Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health.

Nyibil’s journey was more than a personal mission; it was the beginning of a movement. Inspired by Oyiti’s memory and the conversations sparked by his walk, the Oyiti Foundation for Multicultural Youth Inc. was established.

The foundation was created to address the gaps in mental health support for multicultural communities, particularly African Australians. It is a testament to Oyiti’s life and legacy—a promise to ensure that no young person feels alone in their struggles and that every family has access to the support they need.

What Makes Oyiti Foundation Unique?

The Oyiti Foundation stands apart from other organizations in its approach to mental health and youth empowerment. Here’s why:

1. Lived Experience at the Core:
   The foundation is led by individuals who have personally experienced the pain of losing a loved one to suicide. This firsthand perspective drives its mission and ensures its programs are compassionate and authentic.
2. Cultural Understanding:
   As members of the South Sudanese community, the foundation’s leaders deeply understand the cultural barriers to mental health support. They provide culturally informed services that are trusted and respected within the community.
3. Holistic Support:
   Oyiti Foundation addresses the broader factors affecting mental health, including education, employment, social integration, and identity. Its programs aim to empower young people to build resilience and thrive.
4. Community Engagement:
   The foundation actively involves community leaders, elders, and youth in its programs, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration.
5. Focus on Prevention:
   Oyiti Foundation prioritizes early intervention and suicide prevention, equipping families and young people with the tools to address mental health challenges before they escalate.

Advocating for Systemic Change

During his meeting with Hon. David Coleman, Nyibil brought attention to the unique mental health challenges faced by African Australian youth. He shared Oyiti’s story to highlight the pressing need for culturally appropriate mental health services. Nyibil advocated for:

1. Culturally Responsive Mental Health Care:
   The South Sudanese community faces significant cultural stigma around mental health. Nyibil emphasized the importance of services that incorporate cultural sensitivity and community leaders to build trust and break down barriers.
2. Youth Suicide Prevention Programs:
   Addressing the rising rates of suicide among migrant youth requires targeted initiatives, including mentorship programs, crisis intervention, and early support for those at risk.
3. Community-Led Initiatives:
   Nyibil called for greater support for grassroots organizations that understand the lived experiences of CALD communities. He emphasized that solutions must come from within the communities themselves.
4. Systemic Investment in Mental Health Services:
   Nyibil urged the government to allocate more resources to multicultural mental health services, ensuring that families and young people have access to the support they need.

The Birth of Oyiti Foundation for Multicultural Youth Inc.

Inspired by Oyiti’s memory and Nyibil’s advocacy, the Oyiti Foundation for Multicultural Youth Inc. was established to address the systemic gaps exposed by Oyiti’s tragic death. The foundation was built on the principles of compassion, cultural understanding, and community empowerment.

What Makes Oyiti Foundation Unique?

1. Lived Experience at the Core:
   Unlike many organizations, Oyiti Foundation is led by individuals with lived experience of the challenges they seek to address. Nyibil’s journey as a grieving father and his firsthand understanding of the community’s struggles make the foundation uniquely equipped to provide meaningful support.
2. Deep Cultural Insight:
   The South Sudanese and broader African Australian communities face unique barriers, including intergenerational trauma, discrimination, and cultural disconnection. Oyiti Foundation is rooted in these communities, enabling it to offer services that are culturally sensitive, relevant, and trusted.
3. Holistic Approach:
   The foundation recognizes that mental health cannot be addressed in isolation. Oyiti Foundation provides holistic support, including family counseling, youth mentorship, educational programs, and community engagement initiatives.
4. Focus on Prevention and Empowerment:
   Oyiti Foundation prioritizes early intervention and youth empowerment, addressing the root causes of mental health struggles and building resilience. Programs focus on helping young people navigate identity, overcome systemic barriers, and achieve their potential.
5. Community Trust and Advocacy:
   The foundation has earned the trust of the South Sudanese and broader African Australian communities by being a voice for those who feel unheard. Oyiti Foundation advocates for systemic change, bringing the lived experiences of marginalized communities to policymakers and service providers.

Creating a Legacy of Hope

The Oyiti Foundation for Multicultural Youth Inc. stands as a testament to the power of turning pain into purpose. Oyiti’s life, though tragically cut short, continues to inspire change and bring hope to countless others.

Nyibil’s 1,000km walk was more than a journey; it was a movement—one that continues to grow through the work of the foundation. By breaking down cultural barriers, addressing systemic gaps, and empowering youth, Oyiti Foundation is ensuring that no young person feels alone in their struggles.

Through its programs and advocacy, the foundation is creating a legacy of hope, resilience, and unity. It is a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable tragedy, change is possible—and that every step forward brings us closer to a world where every young life is valued and protected.

In Oyiti’s memory, Oyiti Foundation carries forward the message that mental health matters, that stigma can be overcome, and that together, we can build a brighter future for all.