Mental illness awareness needed in our communities
BERTRAMS– Gordonia creates awareness.
The month of July was Mental Health Awareness Month.
The month was aimed at creating awareness and to encourage more people to seek help, treatment and support.
Gordonia Services, a psychological rehabilitation centre in Bertrams, held a mental illness awareness day on July 19, as part of Mandela Day.
Also read: Pay attention to the mental health of family
“There is a need for education in the community about people living with mental illness. We chose to have the awareness day after Mandela Day because we need to work together every day as the community to support these people. Mandela Day is about the spirit of ‘ubuntu’ and caring for one another, which is what people living with mental illness need,” said social worker Clementia Mthembu.
She said people living with mental illness are still misunderstood in the community.
Tips on coping with mental illness were given during the awareness campaign.
Gordonia services offer support to people with schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder.
The psychosocial rehabilitation programmes include educational, health awareness and outreach programmes.
Tips on how to cope with mental illness in the family:
You cannot cure mental illness for someone but can help him or her cope on a daily basis.
- Symptoms may get worse before they get better.
- Acceptance of the illness by all family members is helpful.
- Illness of a family member is nothing to be ashamed of.
- Love the person even if you don’t understand their depression.
- Talk about your feelings as a family.
- Educate yourself about the illness and ask the doctor to explain the treatment.
- Do the things you enjoy as a family, together.
Contact Gordonia Services on 011 614 6855 or email Gordonia@witsmhs.co.za
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