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My roller-coaster ride of mental health

29 October 2020 | Story Thokozane Ngcongwane | Photo Supplied

Thokozane_web read more — Thokozane Ngcongwane recommends that students and staff should actively seek help for their mental-health challenges.

My name is Thokozane Ngcongwane. I coordinate the UFSS1504 module in the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL). The journey of struggles and triumphs against mental illness has often peppered my life more than I thought. Having grown up in rural Free State, it was hard for my parents, as well as those around me, to believe that things such as mental illness exist – let alone their own son!

I grew up with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was admitted numerous times as the illness was misdiagnosed and untreated. This laid the foundation for a childhood filled with amazing feats of energetic activity, but also had the downside of being misunderstood, or ill-treated due to this illness. Before I knew about this illness, I believed that because of my height (I have been given the names ‘Napoleon’ and ‘Goliath’ by various people, throughout) and stature. I was a prime target for bullying.

Fast forward to university, and with the world as my oyster, I believed I would do well, graduate, and become the scientist I have always dreamed of becoming. Nothing could prepare me for the roller-coaster ride that, even to this day, has taught me highly valuable life lessons that I would never have received anywhere else. I started a degree in Chemistry (Extended) and was doing well in the first year. I was even fortunate enough to be selected for the F1 Leadership for Change exchange programme that took me to the USA. That was an incredible experience. Fast forward to my third year, and things took a turn for the worse.

By 2013, I started getting panic and anxiety attacks, the origin of which was quite unknown to me at the time. I thought that I was starting to go insane and this caused a huge drop in my academics, as well as distorting my overall view on life. I started refusing to see friends and family and even shunned myself from engaging in academics. This was the start of my battles and little prepared me for the fight ahead. I took a trip outside of my surroundings and became aware of how the people I avoided cared for me, and the result was that I overcame anxiety for that period. Family, friends, and lecturers were supportive and encouraged me to do my best amid this unknown period in my life. My academics improved and I became social again.

When I thought the worst was behind me, I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). I contacted Student Counselling and Development and received professional assistance. I started feeling better again and was on my way to graduating, albeit the journey was fraught with anxious moments. My graduation was delayed due to a credit shortfall, and this threw me in the deep end once again. This time, I dealt with it better by engaging myself in my passions – sports and the outdoors. I graduated in May 2016 and secured a temporary job as a Science teacher.

I returned home to the Qwaqwa Campus, where I became an intern in CTL. My troubles reached a boiling point in 2019, and I contacted Careways on recommendation of my head of department. It is now 2020, the year of global anxieties. I have learnt that institutions such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) are available to help. Higher Health is also available to deal with issues around stigmatisation. In short, seek help and never abandon your support structures. Your mental health matters.

News Archive

Bloem Campus to host Color Run on 27 February 2016

2016-02-15

Two in millions: 2015 Color Runners doused and dressed in colours of the rainbow.
Photo: The Color Run photographer

Unleash your inner sparkle at The Color Run’s Varsity Tour. The University of the Free State is a proud host of the 2016 Bloemfontein edition. Be counted among the 5 million Color Runners worldwide who walk, skip, shimmy, or hop for five kilometres in the name of fun and charity.

The Color Run is the largest series of events in the world promoting healthiness and happiness. Arina Engelbrecht, Chief Officer at the Health and Wellness Centre, believes that “active people are happy people.” Consequently, she encourages students, staff members, and the community to join in the festivities.

Run to make a difference

Wearing white and being doused from head to toe in the colours of the rainbow while exercising is a very different way of extending a helping hand to those in need. For every ticket sold, R10 will be donated to the No Student Hungry campaign by The Color Run and Capitec Bank.

After running through four colour stations, a spectacular show awaits you at the finish line. The Finish Festival is a combination of colour throws, rainbows, glitter, music, and dancing.

The Color Run takes place on:

Date: 27 February 2016
Time: 16:00
Place: Cricket Grounds, Bloemfontein Campus.

Tickets are available online: www.thecolorrun.co.za at R250 for the public, R190 for students, including a goodie bag, or R90 without a goodie bag. Children under 10 years of age enter free. You will receive a R200 coupon to spend on The Color Run goodies or any product of your choice. Goodie bags may be collected at the Cricket Grounds from 25 February 2016.

For more information, contact hello@thecolorrun.co.za.

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