PsySSA-Web Support

Hundreds of Activists Join the KZN Mental Health Walk 2023

by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 11, 2023 | Community and Engagement, Media and Public Awareness, Mental Health Advocacy, Psychology in the Media

Despite wet and windy weather conditions, 850 people turned up to support the KZN Mental Health Advocacy Walk last Sunday, ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10.

Many familiar PsySSA faces also belonged to the main organizing committee of the KwaZulu-Natal Mental Health Advocacy Group, under whose auspices the walk is hosted. They include Suntosh Pillay, co-founder of the Advocacy Group and executive member of the PsySSA Community and Social Psychology Division; Lynne Richards, who managed the walk’s logistics with the eThekwini Municipality, and is the chairperson of the PsySSA Trauma and Violence Division; and Rivendri Govender, who ensured that over 30 organisations attended the related Wellness Fair, and is the Secretary of the Society for Educational Psychology of South Africa (SEPSA) with Professor Suvira Ramlall, a psychiatrist who co-founded of the event with Pillay, this small team pulled of another well-attended walk for the eight year running.

Pillay says that the 5km walk “continues to grow every year as the flagship community-driven mental health event in the province, if not the country. We are probably the biggest, free, mental health walk in South Africa right now.” People came from all corners of KZN, including Chatsworth, the South Coast, Madadeni and Pietermaritzburg, and brought placards and posters to voice their slogans. The SABC, Isolezwe, and local newspapers all supported the walk with media coverage. Govender said a walk is a fun and interactive way to get people to engage with the topic of mental health “which people shy away from”. “We are encouraging people to take a stand against the stigma.” Richards agrees. “Annually, the walks brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to advocate together. It is a wonderful day filled with activities, such as yoga and aerobics.”

The theme for #WMHD 2023 is “Mental health is a universal human right”. Pillay said this topic is especially pertinent given the current debates about National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa and the best way to achieve universal health coverage. “NHI is one option; but whatever funding mechanism we use to gain equity of access to healthcare, psychosocial services must be included from the outset. There is no debate that psychology professionals are an essential service,” said Pillay.

The related wellness fair at the North Beach amphitheater had 30 organisations to interact with the public, including the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), Refugee Social Services, the Durban Book Fair, the Mum’s Support Network, Mondia Health, Medis Medical Software, the KZN Department of Health, Akeso, and Joint Medical Holdings.

Pierre Buckley, from the Global Interfaith Network (GIN), joined as an LGBTQ+ activist. “GIN understands the importance of wellbeing in its entirely,” said Buckley. “Being present and supporting the walk adds our voice and presence to support the urgency to address mental wellness in society. This was a meaningful event.”

To support the event, contact suntoshpillay@gmail.com

Photo credits: Vijay Ramballie.

PsySSA Commemorates World Mental Health Awareness Day 2023 – Privileging Mental Health: A Call to Action

by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 10, 2023 | Community and Engagement, COVID-19, Mental Health Advocacy

Dear Esteemed Members of the Psychological Society of South Africa,

With October being declared as Mental Health Month, we are reminded of the abiding imperative to raise awareness of mental health issues and reduce the many forms of discrimination and stigma that continue to plague those experiencing mental health challenges.

As members of PsySSA, we have the opportunity to create a meaningful impact towards the mental well-being of individuals and communities in our country. As advocates for mental health and wellness, we have the privilege and responsibility to harness the resources of our profession to advocate for the kinds of multi-level interventions and changes necessary to foster mental health and well-being.

This October, the Psychological Society of South Africa is proud to present a high-impact social media campaign that centres around the theme of Fostering Mental Health: Uniting the Psychology Community in Action. Our focus will be on highlighting the vital role that psychologists and counsellors play – and are called to play – in supporting vulnerable individuals and communities across our nation.

The Power of Unity: Uniting for Positive Change

Mental health is an integral part of overall well-being, and our profession has the unique capacity to facilitate healing and growth. With the ongoing challenges posed by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic insecurity, and various social issues, the need for mental health support has never been more evident. This October, we aim to illuminate the collective strength of our community and the transformative impact that can be achieved when we work together.

Focusing on Vulnerable Communities

At the heart of our campaign is a deep commitment to serving vulnerable communities. As psychologists and counsellors we are positioned to address the mental health disparities that exist within South Africa. Our campaign will highlight success stories and contextually sensitive practices in providing effective mental health interventions to individuals and groups who are most in need.

A Month of Action: What to Expect

Throughout the month of October, we will be sharing inspiring stories, insightful resources, and thought-provoking discussions on our social media platforms. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can look forward to:

Webinars and Workshops: Engage in enriching webinars and workshops where experts from our community will delve into relevant topics, providing you with new tools and strategies to enhance your practice.

Individual Stories: Learn about the profound impact psychologists and counsellors have had on the lives of their clients. These narratives will emphasise the importance of empathetic care and context-based interventions.

Community Outreach: Discover innovative ways our colleagues are reaching out to underserved communities, spreading awareness about mental health, and delivering support where it is needed most.

Resources and Toolkits: Access a wealth of resources to assist you in your efforts to support clients and communities.

Join Us in Making a Difference

As members of the Psychological Society of South Africa, your expertise, compassion and dedication have the power to change lives. We invite you to actively participate in our October campaign by sharing your own experiences, insights, and stories on social media using the hashtag #PrivilegingMentalHealthSA. By joining forces, we can amplify our collective impact and create a more mentally healthy South Africa.

We are excited to embark on this journey with you, and we look forward to a month filled with meaningful connections, enlightening discussions, and a renewed sense of purpose. Let us stand united in our mission to promote mental health and well-being and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.

Psychological Society of South Africa

The Unsettling Knowledge Project on Gendered and Sexual Violence

by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 6, 2023 | 27th Annual Psychology Congress, Crisis Intervention

At the 27th Annual Psychology Congress, the Unsettling Knowledge Project on Gendered and Sexual Violence shared its ongoing work, which includes a multifaceted exploration of gendered and sexual violence, emphasizing the perspectives of black women, activists, influencers, and researchers. Going forward, the project is shifting its focus towards healing within the studied communities, with plans for community-centered programs, advocacy for policy changes, empowerment initiatives, and education campaigns aimed at addressing and mitigating gendered and sexual violence while promoting resilience and survivor support.

Therapies for Healing Justice: Redressing Systemic Oppression and Intergenerational Trauma

by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 4, 2023 | 27th Annual Psychology Congress

A diverse panel of practitioners – clinical, organisational, and counselling psychologists offered engaging presentations, all critiquing dominant constructions and discourses of therapeutic practice, but each providing a very different angle to exploring the implications of systemic oppression, historical and contemporary and the possibilities for collective healing. We questioned the extent to which a race-based trauma cycle might be ingrained into South African consciousness and asked what it is that needs to be healed, not only from the past, but in the current context of a neoliberal democracy. We were encouraged to examine language and relations of power by imagining psychology in our own African languages outside of the confines of English and questioning what harm we cause when we expect our clients to ‘meet us where we are’. We heard of the generative possibilities at the interface of psychoanalytic praxis and African spirituality, where object relations include ancestral objects in particular ways and where Umoya (spirit) can be a diagnostic tool. Frameworks of working with trauma were reframed drawing on more contextually relevant ways of becoming more political in our psychological and psychosocial work within communities. There was rich storytelling in all presentations and some interesting questions from delegates.

27th Annual Psychology Congress. Conversations graphically captured by Roy Blumenthal

by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 4, 2023 | 27th Annual Psychology Congress

Roy Blumenthal

Roy Blumenthal is a visual artist who specializes in the creation of live sketchnotes during talks, presentations, and events. His unique approach involves simultaneously displaying his visual summaries on screens of the same size as the speaker’s presentation, allowing the audience to absorb both the live sketchnote and the speaker’s content in real-time. Roy’s work enhances the overall event experience by providing a dynamic and engaging visual representation of the subject matter, and he may also conduct recap sessions to explain his key visual takeaways.