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Faculty of Health Sciences host another successful Crazysocks4Docs Day

08 June 2022 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Reuben Maeko

The high-pressure nature of working in the health sector and some of the conditions under which doctors have to work and to which they are exposed not only make them vulnerable, but it might have an effect on their mental state.

It is for this reason that the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) celebrates the CrazySocks4Docs campaign each year. In order to create awareness on the importance of medical students’ mental health, Investec once again sponsored crazy socks for our undergraduate medical students this year, after a very successful CrazySocks4Docs Day in 2021.

Crazy Socks for Docs was created in 2017 by Victorian doctor Geoff Toogood, who has a lived experience of depression and anxiety.

After wearing odd socks to work one day, Dr Toogood found that people were talking behind his back and questioning his mental health. The reality was that his new puppy ate his socks, but he was struck by the stigma and discrimination still associated with mental health and well-being.

Angie Vorster, Clinical Psychologist from the School of Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences, says students and staff were encouraged to wear mismatched, colourful, crazy socks on 3 June 2022 in order to draw attention to the mental health and well-being of our medical students and medical doctors – who have carried us through more than two years of a pandemic.

“The more we speak about mental health and change the narrative around mental illness as normal life experiences, the better we are able to reduce stigma and increase help-seeking behaviour among our healthcare professionals,” says Vorster.

Head of Surgery, Dr Nicholas Pearce; Acting Head of the School of Clinical Medicine, Prof Hanneke Brits; the Programme Director of the Undergraduate School of Clinical Medicine, Dr Yolandi Swart; and Arishka Kalicharan, the Phase I Chairperson, along with the School of Clinical Medicine's Clinical Psychologist, Angie Vorster, came to celebrate their socks with medical students.

“The students took a break from studying for their exams to have some fun. Even though it was freezing outside, our toes were as warm as our hearts. A great big word of thanks to Investec for caring about our students' mental health and always supporting our endeavours in the Faculty of Health Sciences. It takes a village to train a doctor!’

Time for a picture. Medical students take pictures of their crazy socks during the Faculty of Health Sciences’ CrazySocks4Docs Day.

From the left; Arishka Kalicharan, Angie Vorster,Dr Yolandi Swart, and Prof Hanneke Brits

A group of medical students show off their new socks in support of the CrazySocks4Docs Day.

News Archive

Young entrepreneur takes tech world by storm

2016-09-14

Steuda, a website which aims to simplify
the lives of students.
Logo: Supplied

Alexi Carreira, a young entrepreneur hopes to simplify the lives of students and help them become successful with the aid of his new website, Steuda.

Says Alexi, a student at the University of Free State who is currently busy with his Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration: “My willpower to be successful in my purpose motivates me, but more than that, God’s will for me to help others succeed.”

The purpose behind the website

Steuda is a platform for students, by a student, that aims to create a brand for students to advertise what they have to offer and to receive information from their peers about textbooks, course material, and accommodation - even just a lift home.

According to Alexi, Steudacurrently has six categories, general buying and selling, buying and selling of textbooks, accommodation, bursaries, job opportunities and community information. “We are in the process of providing extra short courses which students will be able to do online and once completed, they will receive a certificate of completion.

Becoming successful and pursuing your dreams

Alexi wants to simplify and empower the lives of students. Having Steudabecome a successful and well-known brand is his main goal. “My goal is for Steuda to become a national platform for students to use when they need anything or want to offer anything pertaining to student life.”

Alexi tells young entrepreneurs who are pursuing their dreams: “Do not allow the fear of past or current situations to define you. Be resilient. It’s a blessing to fail while attempting what you love.”

Steuda launches on 14 September and will be available at: www.steuda.co.za

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