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Next Chapter facilitates a mental-health conversation with Health Sciences students

18 April 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Tshepang Mahlatsi

The conversation themed Who helps the helpers? kicked off with Next Chapter founder and spokesperson, Tshepang Mahlatsi, explaining the diversity and defining factors of the world, which are divided into a number of outlining categories, namely religion, social class, ethnic race, gender, age, and many other crucial aspects.

Tshepang explained that mental health outstrips all man-made boundaries because of one thing that the human race has in common, namely each individual’s capabilities to deal with stress.

This conversation zoomed in on mental health within the Faculty of Health Sciences and its career spectrum. According to Tshepang, “It is only in emergencies and extreme situations that people recall the importance of mental health, due to the stigma that surrounds the topic”.

Representatives from the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Department of Student Development and Counselling assembled in Metro 7 of the James Moroka Building to discuss ways of addressing the question Who helps the helpers?

Next Chapter, in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences, further launched a power hour where certified health professionals are given a platform to address and interact with Health Sciences students in a safe and free environment.

Tshepang explained that the initiative strives to start a culture and create a space where anyone dealing with a mental illnesses or issue does not feel ashamed to seek help.

News Archive

UFS athlete on her way to Athletics World Championships in France

2013-06-18

Louzanne Coetzee (left) and her guide, Rouxné Vermaak, in action during a 10km road race a few months ago in Bloemfontein.
Photo: Johan Roux
18 June 2013

A student from the University of the Free State (UFS) is part of a team of 32 athletes to represent South Africa at the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) Athletics World Championships in France later this year.

Louzanne Coetzee, a second-year BA Corporate and Marketing Communication student, was selected to represent the national team in the 800-metre race at the championships that will be held in the city of Lyon from 19 to 28 July 2013. The visually-impaired student will participate in the T11 sport class for runners that make use of a guide and have to wear a blindfold during the race. This will be Louzanne’s first international competition. Approximately 1 300 athletes from 90 countries are expected to participate in the championships.

Louzanne boasts a best time of 2 minutes and 53.8 seconds in the 800 metre, a time she reached earlier this year at the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled in Pretoria. At this meeting she won three gold medals in the 800, 1 500 and 5 000 metres.

Louzanne says she will work hard to bring back medals. "I’m not all that experienced, but I will give my best and trust in the Lord. I will work hard to do something for my country."

She and the rest of the 31 athletes will be accompanied by four coaches, a team manager and an assistant manager.

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