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15 October 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Valentino Ndaba
Mental health awareness
The UFS joined the global community in commemorating World Mental Health Day.
“This is not a conversation that should wait until people have taken their own lives or have been diagnosed,” said Tshepang Mahlatsi, Founder of Next Chapter, a student organisation that advocates for mental health. In commemoration of World Mental Health Day, the organisation hosted a dialogue around this year’s theme of Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention on 10 October 2019.

Mahlatsi further said: “The conversation around mental health is not one that should be reserved for September or October when we commemorate suicide prevention and World Mental Health Day. We should build a culture and tradition of having and normalising these conversations. This notion becomes highly relevant at institutions of higher learning where most students are affected by various factors, such as finances and academic anxiety.”

Dealing with the dilemma

This open discussion took place on the Bloemfontein Campus between students and a panel comprising Dr Ntswaki Setlaba and Dr Melissa Barnaschone.

Dr Setlaba, a consultant psychiatrist at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital, said one of the symptoms of major depressive disorder is suicide. She highly recommends that early detection of depression is essential in order to prevent it escalating to a loss of more lives.

Director of the Office for Student Counselling and Development, Dr Barnaschone, supported the concept of early detection, citing that there are plans put in place to support students, such as workshops and the Student Mental Health Toolkit.

Medicine of the mind

Dr Fanie Meyer, a private psychiatrist based in Bloemfontein, described to staff members the effects of depression and anxiety on the brain. He presented a talk titled: Pain vs Depression: ‘The chicken or the egg?’ which was hosted by the Organisational Development and Employee Wellness division in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences.

He also stressed the importance of early detection. “If you leave your pain running for 10 years, it will get worse. The same goes for anxiety,” said Dr Meyer. 

According to Burneline Kaars, Head of the Division, they are committed to changing attitudes about mental health and reducing the stigma experienced by those who live with it. “The focus is on educating staff about mental illness and empowering them to take action and promote mental wellbeing while it is still early.”  

Recognising the early symptoms of a mental disorder is an essential part of tackling the pandemic. Having the mental health conversation throughout the year instead of in September and October ought to further this agenda. 

News Archive

Lots of inspiration at Autumn Graduation Ceremony
2013-04-18

 

Graduates celebrate the results of years of study at the graduation ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
17 April 2013

Live streaming of ceremonies available from 16 April - 19 April 2013: http://www.ufs.ac.za/ufslivestreaming/

Joshua Johnson YouTube video

The university’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony got off to a vibrant start with energetic performances and inspiring messages for graduates.

Joshua Johnson, an American student who uses his talent for tap-dancing to fund his tertiary education, mesmerised the audience on the first of the four-day graduation ceremony with his story of hope and perseverance. The student from Penn State University travels five hours by bus to New York every weekend where he tap-dances on the subway trains to earn money for his tuition fees.

Delivering a keynote address, Joshua told graduates that, in order to achieve their goals, they have to understand and work diligently with the 24 hours they get to live daily. “Start with a bang and end with a bang,” he said, encouraging the audience in the nearly-packed Callie Human Centre to join him in a rhythmic tap-dancing beat.

“Don’t follow in the footsteps of someone else. Take the beat of life, but add your rhythm to it," his wise words resonating with the exhilarated graduates.

Joshua will be the guest speaker at the ceremonies on 16, 17 and 19 April 2013 and will deliver a dance item during each occasion.

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the University, echoed Joshua‘s message, telling graduates not to be discouraged by life’s difficulties.

“Take what you have learned over the last three or four years and use that knowledge to reach your goal,” he advised.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, encouraged them to continue to study. “To break the cycle of poverty, get an education, get a degree.” He told them that as graduates they are ten times more likely to get a job, with the odds rising as they continue their postgraduate studies.

Well-known radio host and Idols South Africa judge, Gareth Cliff, will be the guest speaker at two ceremonies on 18 April 2013. He will be joined by Vicus Visser, the South African YouTube singing sensation. Dubbed Bloemfontein’s Justin Bieber, Vicus and his brother Vincent will perform during these two ceremonies.

The programme for the respective ceremonies is:

Wednesday 17 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Education.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology.

Thursday 18 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Agricultural Sciences and Architecture.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Natural Sciences.

Friday 19 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: all diplomas and degrees in the Faculty, except BCom and BComHons.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: only BCom and BComHons.

The Qwaqwa Campus’ graduation ceremony will take place on 8 June 2013. Diplomas/certificates up to and including doctorates will be awarded at this ceremony.

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