The impact of the coronavirus on the lives of residents of the City of Johannesburg has been huge, with the resultant deaths, job losses and curtailed social interaction.
That’s why the City’s Region F Health partnered with and Dettol to raise awareness and reduce the stigma wrongfully associated with mental illness at Jeppe Clinic on Monday, 26 October 2020.
The government declared October as Mental Health Awareness Month with the objective of not only educating the public about mental health but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are often unfairly subjected to.
Jeppe Clinic Professional Nurse Suzan Mahoa kicked off proceeding by saying that people living with mental health issues are deserving of care, love, understanding, compassion and support. By doing that, sufferers get hope, healing and recovery.
She also shared positive steps for mental health: accepting who you are, talking about it, keeping active, learning new skills, asking for help, eating healthy, relaxing, doing something creative, getting involved in support groups and surviving.
Her colleague and Social Worker at the same clinic, Sibusiso Mabuza, educated about 350 community members who attended the event about social problems like abuse and how it affects individuals physically, psychologically and emotional. He said help is available only if people can learn to be open.
Sister Nonhlanhla Magwaza, who is the clinic’s Health Promotion Manager, emphasised the need to maintain Covid-19 health protocols to prevent the dreaded second wave from hitting South Africa. She told residents that they needed to adhere to guidelines by continuing to wear masks, keep a safe physical distance and washing hands or using hand sanitisers to protect each other.
Sister Dimakatso Mosoetsa, the Operational Manager for Jeppe Clinic, thanked residents for attending the event and spreading the message of prevention, treatment and caring for one another.
The awareness campaign ended with the Jerusalem dance outside the clinic with residents and City officials showing off their smooth moves.
