MHM Magazine

Issue 4 | 2024 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 9 MHM ones.’ - Nkini Phasha, SADAG Board Member Although I came from a psychological background, I initially lacked practical experience in counselling and supporting individuals with mental health challenges. My knowledge was primarily theoretical, derived from textbooks and courses. After losing my mother to suicide in 2009, I joined SADAG seeking career experience. However, this journey has also helped me develop coping strategies for managing grief and gain the confidence to discuss it openly. Helping others understand grief and develop tools to cope with suicidal ideation has been healing for me as well - Rutendo Mahowa, SADAG Call Center Supervisor I qualified as a clinical psychologist in the 1970s. Having at the time been practicing in the mental health field for almost 20 years gave me a good understanding of the landscape of mental health in South Africa. With this background it did not take much for Zane to convince me to attend the inaugural meeting of SADAG in 1994. I was delighted when Zane asked me to help with the Mental Health Matters Journal. Now in almost it’s tenth year it appears six times per year. The journal serves an important role in bringing relevant and important clinical mental health topics in a practical way in short, non-overwhelming articles to general practitioners, psychiatrists and perhaps other relevant mental health practitioners - Dr Frans A Korb, SADAG Board Member, Clinical Psychologist and Psychiatrist Working in schools has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Being there for the students, offering a listening ear, and providing support when they need it the most, it’s something I genuinely cherish. I've seen firsthand how a little bit of kindness and understanding can go a long way in making a difference in their lives. The psychoeducation, one-on-one sessions, and just being there for them has shown me the resilience and strength young people have, even when they might not see it in themselves - Yasmeen Hajat, SADAG School Outreach Team My journey with SADAG began in 2011, when I first met Zane Wilson. I was working at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg. I was responsible for a program focused on young people who had been diagnosed with severe mood or psychotic disorders. Our goal was to prevent these individuals from becoming revolving-door cases and, instead, upskill them to achieve their ambitions, despite what may feel like a ‘life sentence’ of diagnosis. SADAG has played a key role in the professional journey of countless practitioners who are now making a difference in the lives of millions of South Africans. It has been an honour to be part of SADAG’s mission, and I look forward to continuing our work together to create a brighter future for all South Africans. - Zamo Mbele Clinical Psychologist and SADAG Board Member. Working at SADAG has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals through some of their toughest times. My role has allowed me to develop both personally and professionally, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have had to make a difference. What stood out for me the most during my time here is the sense of community and commitment within the team. The dedication of my colleagues and the organization’s unwavering support for mental health advocacy have been truly inspiring - Tebogo Ramadiro, Substance Abuse Projects Supervisor Talking about mental health is empowering even to myself, the more I talk about it the more I realise how much I am also learning from these talks. Mental health used to be a secret as well suicide but now it has become my everyday talk, the easier I talk about it the easier it becomes for the next person to understand it. I also believe I am bridging the relationship gap between learners and parents/teachers as most of them mention misunderstanding and mistrust between them and teachers and parents. Promoting the importance of communicating feelings so that both parties will be in the same page and easy to understand each other - Rakgadi Thole, SADAG School Outreach Team What hooked me particularly was the energy and passion Zane Wilson had then, in 1995, for talking about her Mental Health problems and wanting publicity for them. This was almost unheard of in those days. Very few publications, or radio or television stations, were running stories about Mental Health.” - Marion Scher, Journalist, Media Trainer and Author When I lost my kitty child, and decided to give back assisting pet parents with grief and bereavement SADAG has been there 100% of the way. I do what I do to give back. I feel it’s important for me MHM | 2024 | Volume 11 | Issue 4 | Reflections, 30 years on… MHM