Children’s Mental Health Week: 3-9 February 2025

Children’s Mental Health Week: 3-9 February 2025

PsySSA commemorates Children’s Mental Health Week (3-9 February 2025) with the theme: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself.

CHILDREN”S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK: 2025

PSYSSA is complimented for launching the 2025 MHC with the focus on Children’s Mental Health. Children have a special place in Society. They are the archetypal pride and joy of parents associated with fun, laughter, joy and playfully mischievous in a normal society. Parents generally promote their healthy living through social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. The seminal Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and amendments profoundly spell out how children must be cared for and protected.

While there were adverse conditions prior to the drafting of the above Act, the current children’s mental health needs have reached uncontrollable proportions. This in fact has given rise to grave concerns for their mental health and fears for their safety. It would make for un-sobering reading to take a snapshot view of how children are faring with their Mental Health globally. Space does not allow for such a broadside perspective. WHO (2022) presents the startling statistic that twenty five (25%) of children present with Mental Health issues. A UNICEF South African Report posited that sixty (60%) of youth needed mental health support. However, only 12.4 % of children and adolescents with mental health problems receive professional help (Kleintjies et al., 2015). This can be explained by the gross imbalance between psychologists and patients. According to the SAACP ( 2020) there were (3022)-Clinical Psychologists; (1598)-Counselling Psychologists: (1510).-Educational Psychologists.

This translates to a ratio of about 1 psychologist for 10 633 clients. At a systemic level this overwhelming inequity explains why children in general find it difficult to access Mental Health services. This situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the majority of the practitioners are in private practice. This begs the question what if any mental health intervention children from the rural area receive. The psychological services attached to the various districts in each province can hardly be considered to be a serious service provider of mental health. Statistics from eight DOE provinces (2020-2021) underscore the stark and gloomy reality of the effete mental health school provisions :

Province Pupils Psychologists
Eastern Cape 1 704 581 Unknown
Free State 541 959 15-20
 Kwa Zulu Natal 2 758 831 83
Limpopo 1 245 095 30-35
Mpumalanga 745 838 25
North West 584 831 20-25
Northern Cape 272 411 15-20
Western Cape 1048 905 47
Gauteng 2 055 042 45

An overpowering disproportion between pupils and psychologists. It is noted that formal assessments cannot be administered for this reason. In any case it is apparent that psychologists only respond to a request from a school about twelve months later However, the inordinate disparity in numbers make access to mental health impossible for the majority of pupils. To a large extent detractors to the existence of school psychology are justified. It is an expensive service. It is a first world phenomenon in an under-developed third-world context.

The general public is hardly and selectively serviced, schools are poorly-serviced and the rural areas are abysmally non-serviced. Are we paying attention to the scary Big Picture or merely going through the motions like school psychological services. As the mental needs of our children get more complex and demanding are we psychologists playing the proverbial fiddle. Severe trauma, depression, anxiety, stress and suicide ideation are major psychological constructs that children experience. Their mental health needs are utterly under-provided. In the recent Mental State of the World Report released by Sapiens Labs South Africa ranked
 Second(2nd) Lowest on the Mental Health Quotient
 First as the most stressed country in the world

A recent advert notes that the “ difference is in the detail ”. We are patently aware of the appalling details. We need to step out of the comfort zones in our insulated ivory towers and make the difference.

Children’s Mental Health Week – Reflections on Self-Awareness as a Psychology Student

Children’s Mental Health Week, established in 2015, focuses on raising awareness of children’s mental health and emotional well-being. While this initiative originates in the UK, it aligns with local efforts such as Child Protection Week, Youth Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month, which highlight mental health challenges in childhood and beyond. This year’s theme, “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself,” provides an opportunity for psychology students to reflect on their own childhood mental health, exploring how their experiences have shaped their self-awareness and career paths.

Reflecting on childhood mental health often reveals how early challenges, trauma, or environmental factors influenced our mental well-being and led us to pursue psychology. Such reflections form the foundation of self-awareness, which is important for professional practice. Many psychologists embody the concept of the wounded healer, where their own struggles and healing journeys inspire their ability to empathise with others. Self-awareness allows individuals to recognise and work through biases, blind spots, and unresolved issues. For this reason, postgraduate applications, such as honours and master’s programmes, often include reflective exercises like autobiographical essays or interviews. These assessments evaluate not only academic readiness but also insight into one’s personal growth.

Self-awareness is not a one-time exercise but a lifelong process. As students, individuals continuously uncover values, insecurities, and unresolved emotions that shape how they engage with others. Discoveries like these follow practitioners into their careers, where self-reflection and professional counseling are essential for managing personal challenges and ensuring that mental health does not negatively impact those they serve. Early mental health struggles, such as emotional stressors or disorders, may persist in different forms, but when approached with self-awareness, they become tools for empathy and professional insight.

Across psychology’s diverse fields, self-awareness is critical in varying ways. Clinical and counselling psychologists rely on this quality to manage transference, countertransference, and emotional regulation, ensuring effective care without compassion fatigue or burnout. Educational psychologists use self-awareness to recognise how their own experiences and biases influence their work with children, families, and educators, enabling culturally sensitive interventions. Research psychologists depend on reflexivity to remain ethical and objective, particularly when working with vulnerable populations. In neuropsychology, awareness of one’s emotional responses helps practitioners manage the toll of working with life-changing diagnoses, balancing empathy with clarity. For organisational psychologists, self-awareness supports the management of workplace dynamics, promoting systemic well-being and addressing burnout.

Children’s Mental Health Week encourages us to reflect on our own mental health, using this theme as a starting point for cultivating self-awareness. This reflection reminds us that self-awareness is a lifelong journey, essential for both personal growth and professional competency. By engaging in self-awareness, we enhance our ability to empower the individuals and communities we serve.

World Cancer Day: 4 February 2025

World Cancer Day: 4 February 2025

PsySSA commemorates World Cancer Day with the theme: United By Unique

Today the world commemorates World Cancer Day, a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The theme for this year is “United by Unique”, which calls for patient-centered care. World Cancer Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against cancer and the urgent need to address this pressing public health issue. For South Africans, this day is particularly significant as cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the country. This year, the theme is “Close the Care Gap,” urging communities, governments, and individuals to work together in creating equitable access to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and care.
Cancer has a tremendous impact not only on those diagnosed with the disease, but their families, friends, colleagues and communities.

Cancer is a growing concern in South Africa. The National Cancer Registry estimates that there are approximately 100,000 new cancer cases reported annually. The most common types of cancer affecting South Africans include breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. The fight against cancer in South Africa hampered by socioeconomic disparities, limited healthcare infrastructure, and a lack of awareness about cancer prevention and early detection contribute to late diagnoses and poor outcomes.

As a professional body for psychologists, PsySSA recognizes the psychological impact of cancer within our communities. Several researchers in South Africa have published psychosocial studies regarding cancer. Below are links to some of this research:

  • Purdy and Roomaney explored fertility preservation among female patients with cancer: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00812463231191437
  • Gallagher-Squires and colleagues explored how women with breast cancer coped during their treatment https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0081246320961761
  • Odendaal and colleagues explored the experiences of informal caregivers of patients with cervical cancer during Covid-19
    https://www.sajgo.co.za/index.php/sajgo/article/view/399

What Can You Do?
Every South African has a role to play in the fight against cancer. Here are some actionable steps:
1. Get Screened: Regular screening can lead to early detection, significantly improving treatment outcomes. Visit your local clinic or healthcare provider to learn about available screening options.
2. Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle: Reduce your risk by avoiding tobacco and alcohol, eating a balanced diet, and staying physically active.
3. Support Cancer Initiatives: Donate to or volunteer with local organizations to help fund research and community outreach programs.
4. Spread Awareness: Use your voice to educate friends and family about the importance of early detection and prevention. Encourage others to get screening if they mention any concerns to you.

A cancer diagnosis, while primarily a medical condition, triggers profound psychological responses that reverberate through various aspects of an individual’s life. The initial shock and fear of mortality that accompany a cancer diagnosis can cascade into a range of emotional and psychological effects, any of which persist long after the diagnosis itself.

Shock and Denial: Initially, many individuals experience a sense of disbelief. The reality of having cancer is often too overwhelming to accept immediately, leading to feelings of numbness or detachment. Denial can serve as a defence mechanism, helping individuals temporarily distance themselves from the severity of their condition.

Anxiety and Fear: One of the most immediate and common psychological effects of a cancer diagnosis is anxiety. Fear about the future, including concerns about treatment outcomes, the potential for recurrence, and the impact on family and personal life, can cause significant distress. The uncertainty about the course of the disease often exacerbates these feelings, contributing to a heightened state of worry and fear.

Identity and Body Image: A cancer diagnosis often challenges an individual’s sense of self, especially when treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation affect their physical appearance
or functioning. Changes in body image, such as hair loss, scars, or altered physical abilities, can lead to a loss of self-esteem or self-worth. This can be particularly difficult for those whose identities are closely tied to their physical appearance or sense of vitality.

Depression and Grief: The emotional toll of cancer can lead to depression and grief, not only over the diagnosis itself but also over the anticipated loss of health, lifestyle, and even the prospect of
one’s future. These emotions may be compounded by feelings of isolation, as individuals may find it difficult to relate to others who haven’t had similar experiences.

Impact on Relationships: The ripple effects of a cancer diagnosis extend beyond the individual to family, friends, and partners. Loved ones often experience anxiety, sadness, and helplessness, which can strain relationships. Partners may take on caregiving roles that disrupt the emotional and practical balance of the relationship, leading to feelings of frustration or exhaustion. In some cases,
individuals may feel emotionally disconnected or misunderstood by others, particularly if they have trouble articulating their emotional experiences.

Post-Traumatic Growth: While a cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly distressing, some individuals may also experience positive psychological changes as a result of their journey. This concept, known as post-traumatic growth, refers to the potential for individuals to gain new perspectives on life, develop a greater sense of resilience, or rediscover personal strengths in the wake of their illness. In some cases, the diagnosis may lead to reevaluating personal priorities, fostering deeper connections with others, or a greater appreciation for life.

In summary, a cancer diagnosis doesn’t just impact an individual’s physical health—it sends ripples through their emotional and psychological world. The effects can be complex and multifaceted, with
anxiety, depression, and changes in identity often accompanying the diagnosis. However, with proper psychological support and a strong social network, individuals can navigate these challenges and, in some cases, emerge with a renewed sense of meaning and strength.

16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children – 25 November-10 December 2024 (3)

16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children – 25 November-10 December 2024 (3)

Global and Local Context of Gender-Based Violence


By Mrs Rekha Kangokar and Ms Shaazia Patel – Executive committee members of RCP

The United Nations describes Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as “Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life” (WHO, 2024).
In South Africa, where GBV is described as the “second pandemic” by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the government has introduced legislative reforms to protect women through The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill, enacted in May 2024, which aims to ensure safety for women and children (SONA, 2024). Despite these efforts, GBV remains alarmingly high, with reports indicating over 42,780 rape cases in 2022-2023 alone (Commission for Gender Equality, 2024).
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that ending violence against women is achievable if action is taken collectively (WHO, 2024). The World Health Organisation (WHO) asserts that “Ending violence against women is possible, but only if we act together, now.” They are now doing 16 days of activism against gender-based violence from November 25 to December 10, 2024 (WHO, 2024).. WHO’s ongoing “16 Days of Activism” campaign highlights that GBV is a global issue, exacerbated in areas of displacement and conflict. Survivors face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, particularly mental health support, due to stigma and patriarchal norms (WHO, 2024)..
Recently, there has been a phenomenal increase in advocacy and awareness for GBV, with advocates bringing cases to light through film. In October 2024, Netflix released a Hindi film – Do Patti which explores the pervasive issue of GBV through the lens of twin sisters, Saumya and Shailee. The film showcases the complex familial, psychological, and emotional factors that impact and influence Saumya and those closest to her. Saumya’s story reflects the experiences of countless women who endure abuse in silence, trapped by societal expectations and personal guilt. The film highlights how deeply trauma can impact individuals, particularly within the context of domestic abuse, cultural pressures and patriarchal dominance. If it were not for one woman in law enforcement, Saumya would have possibly suffered the same fate as her victimised mother.
The summary formulation presented below is for educational purposes and serves to highlight key aspects that are common in cases of GBV against women. This article and its contents do not serve as a medical or professional mental health opinion or diagnosis. If you or anyone you know might be experiencing any of the points below, we strongly urge you to reach out for support via the helplines and contact centres found at the end of this article.
A Summarised Formulation Employing a Person-centred Methodology for Saumya Pundir’s Character in Do Patti (2024):

Sources of Trauma Experienced by Saumya
• Domestic Abuse
• Family Trauma
• Psychological Impact
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Internal Conflicts

Person-centred Interventions – This approach is especially relevant for trauma survivors, who are grappling with emotional wounds and self-blame. The goal is to create a safe therapeutic environment, allowing one to process her feelings and heal.
To provide Saumya with therapeutic support, a trained and qualified psychologist would likely focus on:
• Creating a supportive environment
• Building self-compassion
• Reconnecting the victim with her strengths
• Gradual trauma processing

By considering the above case in the South African context, GBV infiltrates the social, political and economic structures within a patriarchal society, and power inequalities which include gender, sexuality and race. Patel et al. (2020) report that the most affected by violence and inequalities in South Africa are women and children (as cited in Mazana, 2022), and it is believed that while exact statistics are lacking on the rate of sexual based GBV in South Africa, there is certainty that a woman is killed every 3 hours in our country (Wilkinson, 2020). The role of law enforcement and strong legislation is another core theme of the film and this is a crucial element to combating GBV and facilitating empowerment and support to affected individuals. Various Bills passed by the government are implemented to protect against domestic abuse, trauma, and mental health. The National Strategic Plan on GBV includes extensive legal reforms, psychological support, and the establishment of Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), which provide comprehensive services to survivors, from medical care to legal assistance. There are currently 63 centres across the country (SONA, 2024).

Support Services and Interventions
South Africa has implemented various measures to support GBV survivors:
• Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) offer holistic services, including medical exams, legal support, and counselling. https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_speech/THUTHUZELA%20Care%
20Centres.pdf
• TEARS foundation – TEARS believes that responding to sexual violence in our society and holding perpetrators to account starts with supporting survivors in ways that are respectful of their dignity, healing, and choices. HELPLINE: 08000TEARS | 0800 083 277
• The Warrior Project aims to address Violence based on gender and Domestic Violence by providing information and access to help.
• People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) – is a South African, feminist, women’s rights organisation established in the 90’s. POWA provide free counselling, sheltering, skills development opportunities, legal services, sector capacity building and  strengthening as well as public awareness and education to assist abused women. POWA also engages in advocacy to ensure the realisation of women’s rights and thereby improve women’s quality of life.
• She Conquers – is a three-year national campaign with an aim to improve the lives of adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. https://sheconquerssa.co.za/sexual-gender-based-violence/
• WHO also provides training for healthcare providers on managing cases of rape and intimate partner violence, especially in crisis settings.
• Gender-Based Violence resource guide – https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/images/GBV%20_booklet.pdf
• SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group) and Lifeline provide counselling services, helping survivors access mental health care.

A recent article by Mail and Guardian, titled Gender-based violence affects one in three women regardless of income group, reports that shelters and homes are no longer safe havens for women (Comins, 2024). Women mention that the only “safe space” they are lucky to have is their workplace (Comins, 2024). The importance of showcasing this film also speaks to the grave extent of GBV across the globe and appropriate depictions such as films and social media may become tools of change and empowerment. Integrating movies such as Do Patti in articles brings awareness by not only shedding light on the employed and unemployed individual suffering but also highlighting the urgent need for systemic change and mental health support for GBV survivors worldwide.

References:
Comins, L. (2024) Gender-based violence affects one in three women regardless of income group. Mail&Guardian. Retrieved from https://mg.co.za/news/2024-08-28-gender-based-violence-affects-one-in-three-women-regardless-of-income-group/
Mazana, N. N. (2022). Bayasibulala:# AmINext? an analysis of Instagram as a tool for activism against Sexual Gender-Based Violence in South Africa. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37515
Wilkinson, K. (2020). Five facts about femicide in South Africa. News24. Retrieved from: https://www.news24.com/news24/5-facts-about-femicide-in-south-africa-20190905
https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/priorities/making-communities-safer/gender-based-violence#:~:text=New%20Legislation%20to%20fight%20GBV,law%20on%2024%20May%202024
https://www.who.int/campaigns/16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence/2024
https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/OISD/Reports/Commission_for_Gender_Equality/2024/01-08-2024/GBV_Index_Report.pdf
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women

16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children – 25 November-10 December 2024 (3)

16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children – 25 November-10 December 2024

16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children

Many hoped that the lifting of apartheid would herald a better future for the majority of women in South Africa, easing their struggles and opening pathways to equality. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. Many women remain excluded from the social, political and economic mainstream, grappling daily with the persistent threat of violence and abuse. The government, once a symbol of liberation, has often fallen short in addressing their oppression.

As South Africa embarks on its annual campaign against violence towards women and children, we must confront the shadows and vestiges of our nation’s history. This painful legacy has profoundly shaped gender dynamics in contemporary South Africa and continues to fuel the cycles of violence that plague our society.

South Africa continues to grapple with unacceptably high levels of violence, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, intimate partner aggression, femicide, workplace harassment, and digital abuse. These forms of violence are compounded by the pervasive injustices and exclusions inherent to systemic inequality. To address this, we must necessarily and actively challenge dominant colonial, gendered, and violent discourses while fostering counter-narratives that amplify the voices and actions of survivors and their communities, enabling resistance, agency, solidarity, and healing, while supporting multi-pronged anti-violence initiatives that include inter-sectoral collaboration, community-based involvement, and the privileging of knowledge systems and practices deemed meaningful and appropriate by communities themselves. It is through such comprehensive and inclusive efforts that we can hope to dismantle the violence that perpetuates harm and work towards sustainable, transformative change. It is equally vital for us in South Africa to forge partnerships and draw lessons from other critical and liberatory movements across the continent and globally in the fight against gender-based violence. Simultaneously, we call for genuine socio-economic liberation that disrupts the entrenched status quo, where women and children disproportionately bear the brunt of poverty, inequality, and multiple intersecting disparities.

During the 16 Days of Activism, we are reminded that countless institutions and organisations dedicated to supporting women and children in distress are shutting their doors due to dwindling funding. These organisations continue to serve communities tirelessly, often without government support, remaining passionate advocates for change while facing immense financial challenges. It is therefore imperative that we support and pay tribute to these organisations that strive to serve women and girls and support their liberation from violence, oppression, and exploitation.

One such organisation is The Cradle of Hope in the West of Krugersdorp. For 18 years, this independent social upliftment and community development organisation, with its core focus on assisting women and children, has been a sanctuary and support hub for destitute, vulnerable, and abused women – many of whom are survivors of domestic violence, sexual trauma, or human trafficking. The Cradle of Hope provides a safe refuge for up to 30 women and their children, who come from all corners of South Africa. Many arrive in the dead of night, often with little more than the clothes on their backs, bearing physical and emotional scars, fearful and traumatised, where they are met with compassion, support, safety and care. With 15 active programmes, The Cradle of Hope directly impacts the lives of more than 2 000 marginalised adults and children every day, offering essential assistance to those in desperate need. More than just a shelter, it is a space of compassion, love, kindness, and care, dedicated to rebuilding lives and fostering futures rooted in healing and agency.

To learn more about The Cradle of Hope and explore ways to support their vital work, please visit their website at www.thecradleofhope.org, call their offices at 076 262 0452, or email them at information@thecradleofhope.org.

BE THE DIFFERENCE!

– PsySSA Decolonising Psychology Division
16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children – 25 November-10 December 2024 (3)

16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children – 25 November-10 December 2024

All it takes

By Leonie Vorster, Trauma and Violence Division Executive Committee Member

If you talk to just three children and three women in South Africa, you are highly likely, statistically speaking, to come face-to-face with gender-based violence (GBV). Long after the six conversations, two survivors and those close to them will be living with the impact of GBV, while the perpetrators reoffend, unchallenged and unchanged.

GBV (violence perpetrated against any person based on their gender) can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, obsessive behaviour, compulsions, anger, antisocial behaviour, anxiety, stress, depression, dissociation, self-injury, body issues, gastro-intestinal issues, somatic complaints, substance abuse, relationship issues, sexual difficulties, and a host of serious physical and psychological disorders (Vorster, 2021).

Addressing the scourge of GBV does not lie with the one in three survivors, though they are a stark, statistical reminder that we are failing to tackle GBV. Health professionals are justified in supporting GBV survivors and, understandably, that is where the focus has been. However, helping the perpetrators of GBV is the best way to prevent GBV, and we have failed at this (Vorster, 2021).

Working with perpetrators of violence against women and children can be challenging, and prevention is complex. Perpetrators often have gender role strain issues, resorting to violence to cope with feelings of inadequacy (Baugher, 2015). Furthermore, violence against women and violence against children intersect, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts to address both (UNICEF, 2024). The definition and acceptability of what constitutes GBV also varies significantly across diverse cultures and contexts, underscoring the importance of culturally sensitive approaches in research, intervention, and prevention programmes (Perrin et al., 2019). Nonetheless, exposure to various forms of violence has adverse health outcomes for victims, regardless of cultural context (Rivara et al., 2019).

Interventions based on “naming and shaming” perpetrators may not be effective in reducing violence or enhancing safety for women and children. Arguably, isolating perpetrators (as opposed to reintegrating them) can reinforce negative self-perceptions and perpetuate violent behaviour. In contrast, approaches that focus on holding perpetrators accountable in a way that encourages rehabilitation and offers alternative, non-violent models of behaviour are more promising when it comes to prevention (Camp, 2019).

What will it take to create a world free from violence towards women and children?

Effective prevention requires multi-sectoral approaches, community involvement, and long-term strategies; addressing underlying social drivers like gender inequality, harmful societal norms, and patriarchal values; psychological health interventions, parenting programmes for perpetrators, and reducing reoffending; and policy changes, systemic thinking, and system-wide interventions (Fernández-Conde et al., 2024).

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence annual international campaign kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year’s campaign theme is UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls. The campaign calls on citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to create a world free from violence towards women. This year’s campaign also calls on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.

There is #NoExcuse.

World AIDS Day – 1 December 2024

World AIDS Day – 1 December 2024

DRM SPECIAL EDITION PODCAST
IN OBSERVANCE OF WORLD AIDS DAY 2024

“Take the rights path: My health, my right!”

This special edition of the DRM podcast, hosted by Associate Professor Bronwyne Coetzee of Stellenbosch University, in partnership with the Psychological Society of South Africa’s Division for Research and Methodology, commemorates World AIDS Day 2024. The discussion emphasises this year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!” and the critical role of human rights in ending HIV. In this podcast Prof Coetzee is joined by Prof. Stephan Rabie an Associate Professor and Chief Research Officer in the HIV Mental Health Research Unit in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town, an expert in mental health and HIV. In the podcast they discuss the intersection of HIV care and mental health, discussing the necessity of integrated support systems and Prof Rabie’s groundbreaking upcoming programme of work on suicide prevention among adults living with HIV in South Africa. As we observe World AIDS Day 2024, it’s important to remember and recognise that protecting everyone’s health is intrinsically linked to protecting everyone’s rights.

Useful resources: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-aids-day/2024
Calls to action: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-aids-day/2024/calls-to-action

Prof Stephan Rabie in conversation with Prof Bronwynè Coetzee

Stephan Rabie is an Associate Professor and Chief Research Officer in the HIV Mental Health Research Unit in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town. The majority of his research has been devoted to developing and implementing mental health interventions in diverse settings. His research focuses on the intersection of mental illness and chronic conditions, with specific focus on HIV and behavioural adherence. He has provided academic oversight and managed several interventions focusing on HIV, substance use, sexual trauma, sexual and reproductive health, and community-based healthcare. He currently holds an Emerging Global Leader Award from the Fogarty International Center, focusing on the development of a suicide prevention intervention among people with HIV in South Africa.

HPD Division

PiPS Division

On this day we pledge to reaffirm that health is not a privilege, but rather is a fundamental human right. We call for the uncompromising commitment to ensuring that everyone regardless of demographic identity has access to the care, treatment and support that they not only deserve but are entitled to as a right enshrined within the constitution of South Africa.
HIV/AIDS continues to affect millions around the world; however, it is only through the dismantling of the stigma which too often hinders progress, that we will be able to offer the respect for their autonomy; to ensure their equitable access to prevention and treatment that they require. On this day, we reflect that our health is a right, rather than a luxury. The access to healthcare, education, and support systems are crucial for breaking the cycle of transmission and promoting a world where people living with HIV can thrive.
As we honour those affected by HIV, let us commit to fostering a society where everyone can walk the path of health with dignity, security, and the freedom to make their own choices.