Life Poortview has noticed a significant increase in the number of people requiring mental health assistance and post-Covid care. As a result, they decided to hold a free community talk on Saturday, October 15.
World Mental Health Awareness Month and Day are observed in October and on October 10, respectively. It is observed to raise awareness about mental health issues worldwide and to rally support for mental health. It also allows all stakeholders working on mental health issues to discuss their work and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people all over the world.
Prior to the pandemic in 2019, an estimated one in every eight people worldwide suffered from a mental disorder. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a global mental health crisis, exacerbating short and long-term stress and undermining the mental health of millions. According to estimates, anxiety and depressive disorders increased by more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. It is critical to learn how to cope with stress and anxiety. It is a healthy approach that will help you, your loved ones, and those around you become more resilient.
Stigma and discrimination are still obstacles. Raising awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and World Mental Health Month are both opportunities to help de-stigmatise mental health issues. Making your mental health a priority was discussed during the talk. It’s okay to not be okay.
On October 15, Life Poortview’s Psychiatrists and multidisciplinary teams discussed various mental health topics in the conference centre. Dr Jörgen Kahler delved into the difference between depression, sadness and grief.
“My talk was on the difference between happiness and depression and that medication cannot change your life stressors or the intensity thereof. It can only alleviate the symptoms of depression once the stressors have led to the development of depression,” elaborated Kahler.
Dr Mary Dzimwasha discussed the various childhood adversities people face and she mentioned the reason for this topic being “the plight of children in South Africa as well as the impact of abuse and hardships in the mental health of children”.
Dr Nathalie Petersen explained what a burn-out means and how to come to terms with it. Dr Clementine Chawane talked about substance use disorder.
“I spoke about Substance Use Disorder, focusing primarily on alcohol due to the increased use of alcohol and the consequences for academic, occupational, and social functioning,” explained Chawane.
