IN an effort to increase public awareness of brain health matters, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Neuroscience Research team hosted a brain awareness walk on the promenade recently.
The walk formed part of Brain Awareness Week, which is a global campaign to increase public awareness of brain health matters and the progress and benefits of brain research.
According to UKZN academic and chief organizer of the campaign, Dr Lihle Qulu, there is little investment in brain research in South Africa and not enough effort is made to care for those with psychiatric illnesses and neurological disorders.
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“There is too much misconception and stigma surrounding mental health matters, we need to do more to educate communities and bring about change,” she said.
The Neuroscience Research team will also host an information drive on UKZN campuses and at a public school this week. The drive is aimed at educating the youth about brain health: mental disorders, the effect of drugs on the brain, teenage suicide, depression, reaction to grief, and stress management.The KZN Mental Health Advocacy Group and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) were also part of the walk.
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