Lesotho, Feb. 18 -- At just 16 years old, a young Mosotho author made a decision that would not only change her life, but potentially the lives of many others. What began as a private collection of poems born from pain and personal struggle has grown into a published book carrying a powerful message: no mental battle is the end of your story.

Ms. Relebohile Grace Tapole's journey into writing was deeply personal. As a teenager, she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. Like many young people, she carried her pain quietly. Writing became her safe space, a way to process emotions she could not always express aloud. At the time, becoming an author was never part of her plan; she was simply trying to survive.

Now 21, she stands a...