Men challenging notions of masculinity
Societal beliefs that men are tough are actually suppressing important discussions about the causes that lead to suicide.
Mental Health
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How to survive (your family) during the holidays
The Christmas break is seen as a time to spend with loved ones, go on holiday or take some time off work. But for many people, their families could be the source of their anxiety and depression, making the “festive” season, a time of loneliness and sadness.
The war on our minds
South Africa is not at war, yet our rates of violence are similar to war zones. Virtually every child surveyed in Soweto has witnessed extreme violence, which means they have more in common with Palestinian children than our African neighbours – and our mental health is suffering.
Health facilities fail to provide counselling for rape survivors
Could the lack of adequate counselling and mental health services in South Africa’s health facilities leave sexual violence survivors more vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and suicide? A new national study gives us the answers.
Tackling mental health in the workplace
In 2017, a survey by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) revealed that just one in six employees with mental illness said they felt comfortable disclosing their condition to their manager.
Alzheimer’s patients misunderstood and mistreated
MPUMALANGA – “I remember the last time my mother disappeared. People from a nearby community found her walking alone in the middle of the night naked. She couldn’t remember her own name and because she was naked people thought she was a witch. They wanted to burn her alive.”
Learn from Esidimeni: Invest in community mental health
Community-based mental health organisations are cash-strapped, and face ongoing threats from government that their subsidies will be cut. But the Esidimeni tragedy shows that more money should be invested in these facilities to protect patients from being discharged into hostile communities before they are ready.
Psychiatric patients at Joburg Hospital can’t wash
Patients at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) psychiatric ward cannot bath or shower because the water leaks into other wards.
Mahlangu denies culpability but many want blood
Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu denies culpability for the deaths of almost 100 mentally ill patients in Gauteng, but some believe she should be held criminally liable.
Esidimeni: This must NEVER happen again
The deaths of 94 mentally ill patients transferred from Esidimeni centre is the biggest recorded mental health scandal in the history of South Africa.
Disabled man denied education and healthcare
The Limpopo Department of Social Development is set to intervene and help a 25-year-old mentally and physically disabled man who has been denied his education and health care.
HIV won’t take away my smile
Accepting a positive HIV status can be difficult: One Free State woman shares her journey.
Dead patients’ families want answers
The Gauteng Health Department ignored dire warnings not to “de-institutionalise” over 1000 psychiatric patients from secure care facilities run by Life Esidimeni. Now 37 patients have died in a few months – and families want answers.
Documentary Premiere: Dignity Denied (follow-up)
In mid-September it emerged that 36 former Life Esidimeni psychiatric patients have died. These deaths come after the private health care provider's contract was terminated, resulting in patients being moved to community NGOs in and around Gauteng. In early October another death was confirmed, bringing the death toll to 37.
Dead psychiatric patient was ‘well’ before being moved
The brother of a deceased mentally-ill patient says he was healthy before being moved from a Life Esidimeni facility.