Almost two-thirds of South Africa’s children are facing their mental health problems alone; avoiding help or treatment when they need it most. And experts believe the only way to address this worrying trend is to become more vigilant about their…
A father’s physical presence in their child’s life can sometimes be as challenging as having an absent father. This is according to mental health experts looking at how growing up with a male parent affects children. A report released by…
The wife of a former school principal from Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape always suspected that her husband might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but never did anything about it. Looking back, Craig Nicholson easily identifies what were…
Conversations about mental well-being have shifted over the years, with people more open to discussing it, but perinatal mental health is still often overlooked. Perinatal mental health problems occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of…
With family rejection rife in some communities, a former mental health patient has urged relatives to give their loved ones a second shot at life. About a year ago, Melvin Matodzi* was discharged from the Hayani Psychiatric Hospital just outside…
The situation at the Hayani Psychiatric Hospital in Vhembe outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo is a nightmare. The facility has a shortage of beds as discharged patients with nowhere to go remain in the hospital. It is also forced to turn…
Young people in South Africa have been struggling with the burden of mental health problems associated with poverty, disrupted learning, unemployment and even the Covid-19 pandemic. Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression concern young adults. These issues require…
The outcome from the highest court in the land will leave an impact on South Africa’s health system. The Pretoria High Court recently ruled that sections 33 and 34 of the Mental Health Act, 2002 (MHA) are inconsistent with the…
By the time she turned 18-years-old *Lisakhanya Dzedze had already experimented with CAT, cocaine, and marijuana. She also smoked and drank heavily. Her drug use started at 15 with a puff of weed. Her story is not unusual. A 2018 study…
Studies suggest that since the human brain is only fully developed by the age of 25, many young people aren’t equipped to deal with the harsh realities of life. This leads to adolescents and young adults being more prone to…
Children can often be reticent when it comes to talking about their feelings. So, one Soweto assistant teacher decided to use the classic ice-cream cone as a tool to get them to open up about their mental health. “I love…
The latest Mental State of the World report has identified South Africa as the lowest-ranked country based on mental wellbeing. It also revealed how the mental health of younger generations has plummeted; growing up in an internet-dominated and inequitable world. …
The recent passing of veteran South African actor Patrick Shai and artist Riky Rick, has sparked a conversation on men’s mental health. Thousands of social media users expressed their shock and sadness and had the country asking if enough is…
South Africa has the third highest suicide rate on the continent, with more men than women committing suicide. Clinical psychologist, Zamo Mbele, says the conversation about men’s mental health is long overdue as men continue to bottle up their feelings…
Gauteng MEC for Health, Dr. Nomathemba Mokgethi confirmed that the Helen Joseph Hospital has seen an increase in the number of mental healthcare admissions due to a number of reasons. This includes hundreds of patients, seeking care from outside the…