It is Mental Health Awareness Month and the City of Cape Town’s Health Department is reaching out to young people with a new awareness programme.
Mental Health Awareness Month aims to educate the public about mental health and reducing the stigma and discrimination experienced by those diagnosed with a mental illness.
The theme for 2023 is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.
‘This year’s theme highlights the opportunity for communities to unite to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive programmes that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a basic human right.
‘Good mental health is crucial to our overall health and well-being. Living with mental health conditions can impact your physical health, how you connect with others and your livelihood.Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
In response to a concerning rise in mental health-related issues within communities, City Health in collaboration with various local stakeholders, is proud to announce a Mental Health Awareness programme designed to reach out to grade 11 students at Mountview High School in Hanover Park.
The school is a prominent educational institution dedicated to nurturing the potential of its students and will serve as the venue for the programme, highlighting its commitment to the well-being of its learners and the community. By encouraging the learners to seek help, the school fosters resilience, and provides a safe space for those in need.
At an awareness event at the school earlier today, participants had the opportunity to access health screenings and interact with all the presenters.
This programme represented a unified effort by the Hanover Park community to address the mental health challenges faced by youth and will be rolled out to other grades at the school.
‘By providing education, support and a welcoming environment, a positive impact on the mental well-being of our future leaders can be created. By coming together, we hope to instil a sense of hope and promote positive alternatives to drugs and violence,’ said Councillor Van der Ross.
Staff at City Health clinics are trained to screen for and manage common mental health conditions.
The department currently has three clinical psychologists servicing 15 facilities, namely Albow Gardens, Bloekombos, Delft South, Dr Ivan Toms, Fish Hoek, Gugulethu, Ikhwezi, Kuyasa, Langa, Masiphumelele, Matthew Goniwe, Muizenberg, Phumlani, Wallacedene, Wesbank.
