Mental health patients given a voice

The Gauteng Mental Health Society held gave mental health patients an opportunity to share their experiences last Thursday at Bapedi Hall.

Awareness, advocacy and communications officer Charlene Sunkel said patients are ostracised and made to feel unimportant.

“Sharing their stories, being listened to and understood has really made them feel like they matter.”, she said.

When listening to other people’s stories, there were commonalities in their stories especially about taking medication for being mentally ill.

Sunkel said: “The stigma in society makes it difficult for people to take their medication.

“Many tend to be in denial and think it is ok to stay off their medication and do not believe anything is wrong.”

She urged families and friends to be supportive of those that are mentally ill and go to clinics or the mental health society for help on how to cope or understand their loved one.

The mental health society office in Soweto is in Rockville, they may be contacted on (011) 984 4038.