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24 December 2018 | Story Charlene Stanley | Photo Anja Aucamp
Guardians of Mental Health
The people who look after Kovsies’ mental wellbeing are from the left: Dr Melissa Barnaschone (Student Counseling and Development), Burneline Kaars (Employee Wellness), Tshepang Mahlatsi (Next Chapter), Arina Engelbrecht (Employee Wellness), and Angie Vorster (School of Medicine).
In a demanding academic environment, mental-health challenges are an unavoidable reality.

October is traditionally Mental Health Awareness Month, and a time to focus on the various initiatives and people who look after Kovsies’ mental wellbeing.

“Our students are bright and very resilient. But even they sometimes struggle to cope,” says Angie Vorster, Clinical Psychologist for the School of Medicine’s plus-minus 700 students. Her diary for individual therapy sessions is booked weeks in advance.

“For many students the transition from school to university can be quite stressful. Many come from protected rural environments and are overwhelmed by their newly-found independence. There’s also often the pressure of high expectations from home – especially for first-generation students.”

The value of peer support is something Dr Melissa Barnaschone, Director of Student Counselling and Development, fully believes in. Apart from individual counselling sessions, her department offers a host of self-development workshops ranging from anger management and relaxation tips, to time management and basic study skills.

“Students often confuse the normal stress and anxiety they experience before tests and exams with a deeper psychological problem,” she says.

She stresses the importance of the fact that students should not wait too long before getting involved with the programmes offered by her department.

When it comes to the mental wellbeing of staff, the UFS Employee Wellness office has arranged weekly talks by specialists on topics such as ‘Compassion Fatigue’, ‘Post-traumatic Stress Disorder’, and ‘Making sense of difficult personalities’ during the period of September to November.

A person who has come full circle with mental-health issues, is Tshepang Mahlatsi. This promising Law student and former prime of the Tswelopele residence, founded Next Chapter, a student-run organisation that offers weekly peer sessions where students support and encourage one another. “There must be two-way communication,” he stresses. “Al these initiatives and resources mean nothing if those in need don’t communicate that they have a problem. No-one should suffer in silence.”

News Archive

Meet the person behind the new #FaceOfFacebook
2016-05-19

Reuben “R” Davids

The votes have been counted, and we have a winner! After much excitement and a fairly close contest, Reuben “R” Davids emerged victorious from the top five contestants selected by our panel of judges. We chatted with the vibrant and enthusiastic Mr Davids to get a sense of the person who will be our Facebook ambassador for the next year.

What does the “R” stand for?

“Interestingly, some also know me as Vuyo. It's not a name on my birth certificate or anything; I just really like it. And I also coincidentally found out that it means “joy/happiness”, and I do enjoy being happy.”

What is your field of study, and how far along are you?

“I am pursuing a career in the economics field as a third-year BCom Accounting student in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences here at the University of the Free State.”

Are you originally from Bloemfontein?

“Yes, born and bred. I've been a Bloem Kid since day one.”

How is it that you ended up here, studying at the UFS?

“The UFS has always been one of my favourite universities. During my high school period, I was constantly exposed to people from my neighbourhood as well as schoolmates who performing excellently here at UFS, and it didn't go unnoticed. So I have always been drawn to the prestige that UFS carries.”

Which residence are you in, and what do you enjoy most about res life?

“I currently stay at home with the family, but for my first 2 years of study I resided at ConLaurês. What I enjoyed the most about res life is the freedom and independence that you get. It also enables one to participate in campus life much easier. It actually helps one grow and mature into the adult you're supposed to become with all the challenges and responsibilities that you're faced with.”

What do you hope to accomplish during your term as the #FaceOfFacebook?

“I enjoy the art of presenting (as well as being an MC), and being the #FaceOfFacebook will enable me to exercise that skill. Also, my interaction skills will be exercised. That being said, I would like to have those skills developed further by the end of my term as #FaceOfFacebook.”

What is your motivation in your studies, in taking part in this contest, and in life?

“I am an adrenaline junkie. I like taking on challenge; so what I normally do is I set a certain goal for myself and then take on the challenge to achieve that goal. That's my number one motivating factor. And I think I'm also inspired by the failures and successes of myself and of those around me.”

Reuben has already been featured in a #PeopleOfKovsies post on Facebook, and appeared in his first Facebook video covering the Open Day on our Bloemfontein Campus.

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