MHM Magazine

Issue 3 | 2023 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 33 MHM When Newyear Sithole was 18 years old she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This was in 1979 when the illness was not well understood by society at large. In Newyear’s community, no one around her understood what this meant. For 37 years, Newyear didn’t understand what her diagnosis meant either. She struggled with periods of depression and episodes of mania all the while raising a family and going to work without much assistance. Her journey was long and difficult, but she pushed on. In 2016, at the age of 55, Newyear was informed by the company she was employed at, that she would have to take early retirement due to her illness. Even at this time, she didn’t understand what it meant to have bipolar or that there was treatment for it. Her son, whom she lives with, didn’t understand why his mother would sometimes be extremely down and at other times have excessive energy and say and do things that were considered strange and destructive. Nevertheless, he expected her to contribute to the household, and by his own admission, didn’t have much sympathy for her or her behaviour. After an explosive argument with her son, Newyear was told by an acquaintance about the “Blue Container” in Diepsloot where the staff could assist with emotional difficulties. It was only once she had a session with a counsellor at the container that she finally came to understand that her changes in mood and odd behaviour were the result of the bipolar diagnosis that she had received so many years ago. The team at the container took Newyear under their wing and took her to the local clinic where she received medication for her illness. This is when things began to improve and Newyear felt like she could lead a more sustainable life. The team also consulted with her son and explained Newyear’s diagnosis to him. For the first time in their relationship, Newyear and her son both understood what all the years of difficulty in Newyear’s life was from. Her son finally felt compassion for his mother and understood that she needed support and understanding to get better. With this help and support, Newyear was able to start saving her pension money. Eventually she paid off all her debts and built three small rooms in the back of her property, which she now rents out and makes an income off. Today, Newyear is doing so much better and attends one of the container’s monthly support groups, where she can share her experiences with others without fear of judgement and feeling isolated. Through this support group, Newyear has found people who are always there to support and guide her through her difficulties. This year, Newyear became a grandmother and has been able to enjoy her new grandchild knowing she is stable and in a good place. She has also become very active in the community and is currently part of a team supporting a men’s support group by teaching vegetable gardening. Newyear is extremely grateful for the help and support that she has received over the past 7 years from the Counselling Container and hopes that she too can have a positive impact on the lives of her community’s members. References available on request. BIPOLAR DISORDER A STORY OF HOPE FROM SADAG’S DIEPSLOOT COUNSELLING CONTAINER LIVING WITH... A very happy Newyear posing for a picture with Diepsloot Counselling Container team leader, Nono. Newyear is grateful for the years of support she has received from the team.