Awareness Three awareness programmes were executed during the 2012 - 2013 financial year: July 2012 - Psychiatric Disability (Mental Illness) The “Be Kind To Your Mind” initiative was launched. For this programme, the National Office produced 20 000 first-of-its-kind, colourful and engaging z-cards, along with youth-friendly posters, which were targeted at high school learners in mostly deprived and vulnerable communities across South Africa through the outreach work of the Mental Health Societies. The goal with the programme was to provide young people with an easy-to-grasp guide on Mental Illness, some hard-hitting statistics around its prevalence and how to recognise signs and symptoms. Furthermore, the z-cards also contained information on the link between substance abuse and the development of Mental Illness, which is often overlooked, misunderstood or not known at all. Lastly, the z-cards also included a section on suicide prevention, as this was seen as a critical factor surrounding young people in the world we live in today, which is characterised by high levels of stress, competitiveness and pressure to perform. The National Office partnered with SADAG and SANCA to provide the youth with avenues for support via this programme. Whilst the programme was deemed a success (based on feedback received via the Mental Health Societies) the only shortcoming was the limited number of zcards that had been available. Unfortunately the production costs related to the z-cards were very high, which meant that, due to funding restrictions, only 20 00 cards were produced. This was, however, taken on board for the 2013 - 2014 financial year, and the National Office will be seeking funding during the coming financial year to facilitate a re-print of the z-cards.
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South African Federation for Mental Health
So what’s this all about?
Good Mental Health is very important in our fast-paced, stressful world today. Understanding it could make a BIG difference to your life and to those around you. Take some time to think about it...
So where can I find help?
Cont act u s for a FR EE Pocke tguid e to Men tal H ealth
SA Federation for Mental Health (with offices and support programmes across SA) 011 781 1852 / safmh@sn.apc.org / www.safmh.org.za SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) SMS Helpline 31393 / www.sadag.org (helplines and information, specifically also on suicide prevention) SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) (support with drug and alcohol-related problems) 012 542 1121 / sanca.pta@absamail.co.za / www.addictionrehab.co.za
90 S.A. Federation for Mental Health