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12 October 2020
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Story Dr Cindé Greyling
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Photo Supplied
Exercise and nutrition can work wonders for your mental health – you don’t even have to ‘feel like’ or ‘enjoy’ moving around and eating well for it to work – it does its thing anyway.
Nowadays, people talk about mental health like it is the common cold – which is good! But do you know what it really means? Being mentally healthy does not only refer to the absence of a mental illness but includes your emotional and social well-being. One would almost want to add physical well-being too, since a healthy body does indeed support a healthy mind. However, since so many people consider themselves ‘mental health experts’, some myths have been sold as truths.
Myth #1 – You are doomed.
Nope. Never. You are never doomed. There is always help. Mental-health therapies range from self-help, talk therapy, medication, to hospitalisation in some cases. Somewhere on this spectrum of treatments, there will be something that works for you. But you must be willing to get the help and do the work. For starters, exercise and nutrition can work wonders – you do not even have to ‘feel like’ or ‘enjoy’ moving around and eating well for it to work – it does its thing anyway.
Myth #2 – It won’t affect you.
It may. Research suggests that one in five people may suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives. Being well now does not mean that it will stay that way. Biological and environmental factors both impact your mental health. Hopefully not, but at some point, you may experience an event that affects your mental health.
To remain integrated in a community is always beneficial
for anyone suffering from a mental or physical condition.
Myth #3 – Someone struggling with mental health must be left alone.
Hardly! To remain integrated in a community is always beneficial for anyone suffering from a mental or physical condition. You do not need to fix them, but to remain a friend. Continue to invite them, even if they decline. Do not judge, and do not try to understand. Just stay around.
Go and be kind to yourself, and to those around you.
History book available from UFS Marketing
2007-02-01
The university’s history book, "From Grey to Gold", is available from UFS Marketing.
The book will soon be delivered to persons who have ordered copies of the book. UFS Marketing is in the process of distributing the books.
However, persons are also welcome to collect the book from Rinda Duraan or Ronél Meyer at the offices of UFS Marketing in the Wekkie Saayman Building.
Additional copies in Afrikaans or English are also available from UFS Marketing at R380 per copy. Please contact Ronél Meyer at X2150 or Rinda Duraan at X2143 for inquiries.
A proud 100 years
The history of the University of the Free State is one of faith, hope, struggle and determination. In the course of a century, and from a poor Free State community, the UFS has developed into a strong and mature university. This book, richly illustrated with photographs, tells its fascinating story, including:
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Its establishment
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The role of the founding fathers
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Black pioneers of transformation
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The establishment and development of academic departments and faculties; student numbers
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Pioneers and trends in research; academic entrepreneurs
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Campus issues; campus politics
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The UFS’s place in socio-political changes
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Student life: Rag, intervarsity and cheerleaders; sport and Springboks; hostel traditions
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The admission of black students; anguish about race, language and culture
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The story of “digs” and hostels, of Tin Town and the “Vlei”, Darkest Africa and the Red Square
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The development of the campus, of the Tickey and the Banana
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Of hardships in the founding years, good times and turn-around strategies
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Community service and regional involvement and a new focus on the African continent.
Some interesting reading:
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More than 500 pages
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Hundreds of photographs
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Appendices on office-bearers; awards and achievements (including national sporting colours)
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A time-line situating the UFS’s history in the context of the history of the Free State, of South Africa and of the world