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05 July 2021 | Story UFS Department of Student Counselling and Development | Photo Pixabay
UFS Department of Student Counselling and Development motto: clear mind, clear path!
As humans, we tend to neglect making our mental health a priority. Mental health affects us all, but what is mental health?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines 'mental health' as a state of well-being, in which every individual –

• realises their own potential;
• can cope with the normal stresses of life;
• can work productively and fruitfully; and
• is able to make a contribution to their community.

The positive dimension of mental health is stressed in the WHO's definition of health, as contained in its constitution: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

For many people, it seems simple and straightforward to take care of their physical well-being, but they forget to spend time on mental health. You are used to brushing your teeth on a daily basis – but do you actually make a daily effort to take care of your mental health? Unfortunately, people are also more comfortable to see a doctor or pharmacist for medical concerns than admitting that they are struggling emotionally.

If we extend the same level of effort to keep ourselves mentally healthy, we will reap amazing rewards, such as being able to cope with external pressures, reaching our goals, and an increase in overall well-being.

Therefore, it is vital to pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and behaviour on a daily basis. You must acknowledge and express your emotions, as this will contribute to maintaining good mental health and a positive impact on other aspects of your well-being.

You must take a holistic approach to improving your well-being; you are a holistic being. There are many dimensions to well-being, such as the following:

1. Intellectual: Time management and effective planning
2. Emotional: Acceptance; assertiveness; self-care and self-love
3. Physical: Eat, sleep, and exercise enough – drink plenty of water!
4. Social: Be aware of the support systems and structures available to you – within your family, friendship circles, and on campus
5. Spiritual: Make time for what gives you meaning in life
6. Financial: Effective financial planning and budgeting

We hope that students feel encouraged and empowered to take the necessary steps to improve their mental health. 
To learn more about UFS Student Counselling and Development online resources which cover a variety of topics ranging from academic support to psychological wellbeing click here.

Remember that you can also make use of the 24/7 toll-free dedicated SADAG UFS Student Careline by dialing +27 0 800 00 6363.

For alternative mental health resources, click here.

News Archive

Prof. Jansen meets the community
2012-05-16

 

Prof. Jansen listens attentively to Mr Teboho Moloi, who represented the Harrismith Business Forum at the community meeting where the UFS vision was shared.
Photo: Thabo Kessah
16 May 2012

We are very proud of our academic achievements, but without the human element, these achievements are not worth anything. This is according to Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, who attended a meeting with the Thabo Mofutsanyana community in the Eastern Free State.

Prof. Jansen made the community aware that the university has two very important and interlinked projects – the academic and human projects.

“Our university has ambitions to produce the best scholars in various fields, but this cannot be done if we neglect the human aspect of doing things in the right way. We want to produce academic giants as much as we want to produce graduates of life,” said Prof. Jansen to an audience that included representatives from the traditional councils, business, religious and farming communities as well as the Maluti-A-Phofung and Dihlabeng Local Municipalities.

Prof. Jansen said that the memorandum of understanding that the university signed with the Dihlabeng Local Municipality in 2010 was already yielding positive results.

“There has been an enormous improvement in the matric results of the Dihlabeng schools that are part of our efforts to contribute towards building a brighter future for our children. We want to thank the municipality and the Honourable Mayor Tjhetane Mofokeng for being part of this partnership,” added Prof. Jansen.
 
“We are grateful that the university is considerate of its stakeholders in developing this Maluti-A-Phofung area. I am also aware that this institution has contributed towards the building of a crèche in the Mabolela village in Qwaqwa and for this we are very happy,” said Ms Linah Mnisi from Motlotlwane Projects and Consultants.
 

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