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Over the last 2 years, we have discovered so much from our peers on issues relating to mental health, this has been through Instagram posts, tweets, podcasts, and even our friends sharing their perspectives on how we can create a better environment for ourselves. The topic of mental health is never an easy one to get through as it brings up confusion on how individuals perceive it.
We are often urged to take care of our mental health, we barely know where to begin with in understanding what Mental Health is.
The month of October is observed as Mental Health Awareness month, we learn of common mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress and depression. There are many other illnesses that can be associated with mental health In this issue, we speak with mental health warriors who share their experiences in understanding and dealing with mental health and how far they've come on their journey.
Mental health is having a sense of peace, being in a state of clear sightedness and being emotionally and mentally well. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices
1. Tell us more about Nomakhwezi Mabunda and what she does.
Khwezi is a work in progress, a mom, a dreamchas er and a mental health advocate. I am a PR graduate, currently studying BBA in Marketing Management and I work for Build it as an Advertising & Promotions Controller.
2. What inspired you to become a Mental Health Advocate?
Covid 19, the different levels of the lockdown and everything that transpired the past 3 years is what gave me a push. We lost a lot during Covid: loved ones, jobs, even our sanity at some point and we all had to be strong and move on without actually dealing with the losses. I then decided to open a platform called Sisonke support group which is a safe space where young people meet to share their past experiences, traumas and learn from each others’ stories.
3. Do you think enough awareness is raised when it comes to issues of Mental Health?
Yes I do, I think more people are talking about mental health and sharing how they battle with depression and anxiety. However, there is still a stigma attached to the topic and a lot of people still shy away from having these conversations because they don’t want to seem weak and sensitive. We need to have more conversations and spaces where people feel safe enough to be vulnerable with their emotions and experienc es, especially men.
4. Are there any outreach programs that you are currently working on? How can one get involved in such programs?
I host support group sessions every second Sunday on Zoom and a mental health app called Panda. I also host Instagram and Facebook lives where we raise awareness, educate and I have guests who share stories on how they are healing and coping with their mental health. Some of the conversa tions we have are recorded and can be found on my podcast Sisonke: Voices of reason.
Nomakhwezi Mabunda5. As a Mental Health Advocate, all initiatives are of equal importance. What milestones have you reached thus far?
We recently turned a year old and looking back, each support group session was a milestone because we learnt so much about ourselves and were able to help each other as well. I was also invited to host a Sisonke session in December at the Rhoda Girls Camp hosted by Icebolethu Foundation. Every conversation I have with someone about mental health is like planting a seed and most times I cannot see the flowers blossom but I know that person is better and they will help the next person.
6. What words of encouragement do you have for individuals suffering from a Mental Health Condition?
You are not alone, you are valid, you don’t have to go through it alone and there is help. Don’t allow people to invalidate your feelings, own your story and take back your power by seeking professional help. If you are suffering from any mental health illness or are not feeling mentally and emotionally well, you can find help from one of the below options:
Download an app called Panda (Search Joinpanda on app store). It’s free and you can find different support group sessions hosted by peers or mental health professionals, you can also have free private one on one chat sessions with an expert Work is good for mental health; however, an unfavourable working environment can lead to physical and mental health problems. Harassment, abuse of power, and bullying at work are common problems that have a substantial negative effect on mental health. The workplace is not the easiest of spaces to navigate through for many, one's "another day at the office" might be the next person's nightmare ". Everyone who has ever held a job has, at some point, felt the pressure of work-related stress. Every job has stressful elements, even if you love what you do. Whether it's pressure to meet a deadline or to achieve a challenging task when work stress becomes persistent, it can be overwhelming and potentially harmful to both physical and mental health.
1. Who is Ayanda Mavundla and what does she do?
Ayanda Mavundla is a young female author (Rescued by Depression) and advocate for mental health.
4. What coping mechanisms assisted you the most, throughout your healing process?
Knowing I had the illness made it easier to cope. A mental health institution assisted very well and I started to understand myself better. Writing my book sealed my healing process and starting A Pome drove me even further.
5. Briefly tell us about Pome_Mental_illness Advocacy? What inspired you to start this initiative?
A Pome is an organisation that advocates for mental health, demolishing stigmas around mental illness and supporting people living with depressive disorders.
2. What does Mental Health mean to you?
Mental health to me means life.
3. Have you ever been diagnosed with a Mental Health condition? Were there any distinguishable signs or symptoms?
Yes I have. For me not at first, at least not visible to the public because I portrayed a very happy child. Until I was physically ill with no diagnosis. That’s when I was discovered to be depressed.
6. As a survivor of a Mental Health Condition, how do you promote and ensure mental well-being in your daily life?
By doing what I love most and assisting indi viduals on a daily basis. I am kind to myself and others. Understanding that every other person has a battle of their own, no matter how big or small.
7. What can we expect from you in the coming future? (Any projects, initiatives that are in the pipeline)
A Pome will be continuing with a support group and for people who are around Pietermaritzburg who are keen to join, they can drop an email to yandamavundla@gmail.com. We are also looking into creating support group meetings via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
My number +27655324862 is now available for work relations.
In 2018 I got physically ill and was in and out of hospital due to ailments. Until one day where I was dueto see a neurologist as I had endless migraines. I saw a doctor first before giving me a drip said I should see a psychologist. I remember laughing about it and thinking no ways. After a week of seeing a psychologist, I went into a psychiatric hospital with Major Depressive Disorder. Spending time in that hospital made me see that to decrease the intensity of our pain and emotions, is to speak 3.
2. How can we get over the stigma of discussing mental health as a society, and more specifically, as black people?
Talk. Talk. Talk. We need to have these conversations time and time again. We need to explain situations and make people see that it is okay to have such an illness. Our people aren't educated enough about these things. However they deal with things how they know best and in most African communities it is usually prayer. That's okay but we need to talk more about our experiences, give life to them. Make the next person be okay with the thought of mental health
1. Why did you decide to start this journey you're on ?
I have gone to schools, in which I tackle mostly grade 6s to 9s and talk to them about issues that lead to depression, family issues, self-esteem and anger issues. I also go to churches to teach them more on depression and to make them understand that prayer is not the only answer. I have hosted events that I call venting sessions with our age group. We come together and we vent because I understand that therapy isn't the cheap est thing however an event where we look good and eat and talk will not only make it feel less serious than therapy but it will also make us leave lighter than what we were when we arrived.
I definitely want to focus more on schools and churches, not only in our communities. I also want to start going into the corporate world where I focus on employee wellness. Being in the middle of a pandemic has made me realize that people have not been in great working environ ments and that affects you as an individual as well as your work life. I think this is my focus from now on.
I have worked with Dijo Culinary Co, Spoons, Ilawu. I have worked with the nursing students at Durban University of Technology where we went to Mthethomusha Primary School to speak to the kids about anger management issues and self esteem issues. I also part nered with Mzwandile Mbongwe High School to educate the teachers and students on things that may lead to depression. And to help educators understand their kids a bit more. I went to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in SA, PMB North Parish to educate the youth about mental health illnesses. I also part nered with Mountain View Entertainment Centre as well as Red NS Holdings. I worked with Mischka Jade Booth Company as well. All that I have men tioned have helped me reach a wider audience and create awareness so that individuals in the school and work sector.
6. What's your view on the public health system's performance when it comes to mental health?
The public health system has tried with offering services to the public however it is a huge inconvenience, not only that but most individuals who go through them are met with animosity and disrespect. This alone makes an individual feel like the system has failed them, which is rather unfortunate. When one is seeking for help, the last thing they need is animosity and disrespect.
5. What kind of entities do you partner with in creating awareness and long-term success?
My healthy coping mechanisms are reading, meditating and taking long walks. I also go to therapy, not as regularly as I used to however i go in order to actively work on myself as I am changing, due to my environment and the work that I do.
8. What's the biggest myth you've heard about mental health?
Lol!! I have a few myths. Depression is a demon. Oh and if you seek help at a mental institution you'll come out "crazier".
There are different kinds of therapy. I will not say I advocate for all of them. However I am a firm believer in "you cannot help a person who does not want to be helped". I believe in therapy as having a person who knows nothing about you helping you to discover your trau mas and ways of dealing with them so that you are able to cope. Having them allow you to learn and allow you to vent as they stand firm in having you face your challenges. I do not know anything more pure than that.
7. What are your healthy coping mechanisms?
9. What forms of therapy do you advocate for ?
PHOTO BY : SAFE HOUSE
1. How do you define mental illness?
Mental illness is when someone is not stable mentally and by saying that I mean someone who is in a bad space emo tionally and psychologically so that it even effects them physically. To elaborate when I say a bad space, its when someone is in an uncontrollable sadness with heightened anxiety. Where all these feelings are so extreme, they feel crippled and cannot even perform in their day to day lives.
2. In your experience as a healer what type of cases do you usually deal with as it pertains to mental illnesses?
As a healer the most cases one deals with is people who come in mostly with heightened anxiety and this is normally caused by the fear of the unknown, also when your ancestors are reaching out to you, they often come through in a similar feeling. Also, when one ventures through a journey you know nothing of you become very anxious. People also come in with depressed emotions because they’ve been stuck so long not getting the correct help, they need that they start to feel stuck in a deep dark hole. Mostly by the time we see them many things have gone so wrong and they have struggled to find solutions and they’re at a crossroads where they are ques tioning their life, longstanding belief structure and their faith.
3. Do you factor in any Western definitions and methods of mental illness in your practice?
No, as much as I may be knowledgeable on western definitions but once I have a client in my space I’m now dealing with their spiritual healing, but I also do try advising people to seek all avenues of help so one can be healed holistically.
4. How can we get over the stigma of discussing mental health issues?
Well just like how we get over all stigmas, we need to gain knowledge and educate ourselves, educate others so that as a generation we can eliminate all preconceived ideas.
5. Do you believe mental illnesses can be cured, or they can only be managed?
Everything must be handled case by case, everyone must be handled differently. So yes, some can be cured and its not because their necessarily cured but we have discovered the core of where the problem stems from and normally their symptoms mimic a mental illness but need spiritual alignment. There are also people who will present with true mental illnesses, who I may assist but will still need medical assistance.
Ruan Grobler and his team came up with an initiative - The Comfort Corner at their workplace. The Comfort Corner is commonly known as a place where children can go when they are feeling overwhelmed. The initiative serves the exact same purpose but the difference is that it only caters for fellow employees in the workplace.
An ideal working environment produces productive and efficient employees, this creates a sense of purpose in the work and everyone feels a sense of belonging. “we work in a stressful environment and i just wanted everyone to know that it is okay to need a break sometimes” – said Ruan The workplace is not the easiest of spaces to navigate through for many, one's "another day at the office" might be the next person's nightmare ". Everyone who has ever held a job and has, at some point, felt the pressure of work-related stress. Every job has stressful elements, even if you love what you do.
Working is good for one’s mental health; however, an unfavourable working environment can lead to physical and mental health problems. Harassment, abuse of power, and bullying at the workplace are common problems that have a substantial negative effect on mental health. Whether its pressure to meet a deadline or to achieve a challenging task when work stress becomes persistent, it can be overwhelming and potentially harmful to both physical and mental health.
When Ruan created this space he was mindful of challenges that fellow employees encounter at the workplace – “Mental health awareness is spreading word of mental health issues millions of people are suffering with on the daily. it is basically saying 'you are not alone' to those who might feel like they are, in fact, alone”- said Ruan Grobler
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