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#TheConversationContinues: Mental Health Awareness

03 November 2022 | Story Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee | Photo Kaleidoscope Studios

Opinion article by Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee, Director: Student Counselling and Development, University of the Free State.

October was Mental Health Awareness Month, and we have just commemorated it under the theme 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’. The month provided us with even more opportunity to raise awareness about mental health challenges and advocate for a reduction in stigma as well as in the discrimination that people with mental health challenges are often subjected to. This ignites the conversation again, but does the conversation stop?

Mental health among students has increasingly been given a spotlight in popular and professional media. The increase in mental health issues is due to a myriad of reasons, some intrinsic, some due to the culture and increased use of social media, some due to the change in student profile, and some due to the changes in service scope of universities, among other reasons. Mental health challenges among student populations are a common occurrence globally.

Student success and mental health

I spend my work day aiming to assist psychologists, counsellors and social workers at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Student Counselling and Development (SCD) to help students flourish and thrive. This is a fulfilling position, as I have the privilege of working with people and their deepest concerns. Unfortunately, the severity of mental health challenges with which students currently present has changed significantly over the years. Students tend to enroll at higher education institutions with already diagnosed psychiatric disorders. The adjustment to higher education can be intensified by societal trauma, crime, violence, poverty, health issues, and a lack of sufficient academic preparation for tertiary education. This has implications for the number of sessions of therapeutic intervention a student needs, increases the number of other medical professionals involved in managing the student’s health, and has implications for academic and student success. Where does this leave us with our conversation?

The global COVID-19 pandemic added another variable, as it has unfortunately heightened the risk factors generally associated with poor mental health – financial insecurity, unemployment, fear. Meanwhile, protective factors – social connection, employment and educational engagement, access to physical exercise, daily routine, access to health services – decreased dramatically. The pandemic has essentially impacted every facet of our lives. In my experience, students are struggling mostly with depressive tendencies, anxiety, challenging parental relationships, suicidal ideation (thinking about committing suicide), and substance abuse challenges. Over the past six months the SCD had more students present with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, as well as psychotic episodes, than in the past few years. The levels of anxiety and depression among UFS students are high, and the COVID-19 experience highlighted the need for adequate mental health care.

Mental health is a global issue

In recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the important role mental health plays in achieving global development goals, as illustrated by the inclusion of mental health in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The World Health Organization (WHO) pleads for increased investment on all fronts – from increasing access to quality mental health care and effective treatments, to research and more mental health awareness campaigns.

To adequately address our student population’s mental health challenges, a multi-faceted approach is needed, as highlighted by the WHO. This is a systemic intervention on a large scale. I believe that one should have a layered approach when offering services. The rationale behind the variety of online resources available for all UFS students is to foster the mental health of students and to assist them in building resilience during these times of uncertainty. Mental health self-help literature (articles, videos, and podcasts) was developed, designed, and distributed to each registered student on a weekly basis via email, and placed on Blackboard (the UFS academic platform), the UFS website, and social media.

What is the UFS doing in response?

The UFS Careline is exclusively available to registered UFS students, managed by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), operated by trained and registered counsellors, accessible 24 hours, seven days a week, and at no cost to students. It started in September 2020 and is still going strong. Currently about 70% of our students can be helped in this manner before therapeutic interventions are needed.

A physical trauma response from ER24 has been added since 1 October 2022, to assist SCD in responding to psychological emergencies, especially after hours and over weekends. This will be piloted for six months to evaluate effectiveness before long-term decisions can be made. This is a very exciting prospect! SCD is collaborating with Kovsie Health on this endeavour.

We have trained a group of students on all three campuses – the ‘SCD Influencers’ – and they assist us with marketing, conversations, and spreading the word to students. They also act as a crucial link in our communication from students – ensuring we know what is going on in the student communities, what the trends are, and how students experience SCD.

SCD also believes in building partnerships and engaging with different role-players on a frequent basis. SCD has a strong working relationship with the different entities in Student Affairs, the Residence Heads at the residences and day-residences, Protection Services, Kovsie Health, among others. I believe this is also the best way to address any challenges – to work in a team with different expertise. And the conversation continues…

I want to pause at the individual conversation. Within each system individuals are involved, and individuals have the power to influence a system significantly. Some of our students come from backgrounds where they had to fight for literally everything they wanted. Most of our students are first-generation university students and do not have the necessary social or parental support when attending university. This can significantly impact one’s mental health, and it can lead to mental health challenges. We also need to remember that mental health challenges do not discriminate – they occur everywhere. A poor socio-economic stance does not predict poor mental health. A dysfunctional system does not define you. Each one of us has been born with resilience, and I believe the way you use it can change our lives. The most important thing is to keep on trying, despite your circumstances, and believe in yourself. You choose. You CAN do this.

What do I mean by an individual conversation? We tend to forget ourselves and focus on others. Please make time for yourself, for what is important to you, and try to balance the different dimensions in your life. We need to be in conversation with all the dimensions in our life – from physical (running/ going to the gym) to spiritual (praying/ meditating) and mental health (practicing acceptance of yourself and others, practicing activities that mentally stimulate you, getting to know yourself and what might be possible mental triggers in a situation). Have you had your individual conversation today? Mental health is so much more than merely awareness raising during October – let’s continue the conversation all year round.

News Archive

During 2011: Achievements at the UFS

2011-12-01

Sarah Shannon

Dr Alex Amtaika, Department of Political Science

During a conference at Khon Kaen University in Thailand, Dr Alexius Amtaika from our Department of Political Science was elected as Executive Director and Convener of the International Committee of Scholars of Local Government. This honour was bestowed upon Dr Alexius during the first International Conference on Local Government at Khon Kaen University.

Sarah Shannon

We all have heard stories about inspirational people, who defy the odds, fight circumstance every day and never give up. Sarah Shannon has cerebral palsy but has never stopped dreaming and achieving them.

Sarah is also a competitive swimmer, and is currently ranked seventh in the world in her class of disabilities.

She is currently completing her postgraduate certificate in Education, Foundation Phrase, through Unisa. She is also studying Sociology at our university.

DW Bester and Sannah Mokone, Rhodes Scholars

Of the four open Rhodes Scholarships available to students from all universities in Southern Africa, two of our students won these prestigious scholarships. DW Bester, B.Sc. Hons. Actuarial Science student, and Sannah Mokone, BPub-cum laude student, joined Oxford University in the United Kingdom in September 2011 to further their studies.

The Rhodes Scholarships, arguably one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world, were founded in 1903 in the will of Cecil John Rhodes and cover the full costs of study at Oxford University.

While academic excellence is a pre-condition for consideration for the Rhodes Scholarship, these scholarships are unique in that Rhodes Scholars are outstanding young students who excel academically, but very importantly, demonstrate leadership, are committed to making a difference in the world, and have the energy to fulfill their ambitions.

Dr Derik Coetzee, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences

When you suddenly receive a call during a World Cup year and requested to come and assist in leading the Springboks, then you have to know, you have something to offer. This is what happened to Dr Derik Coetzee from our Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences. This year he once again became involved in the Springbok rugby team, after he had been die Bokke’s conditioning trainer from 2004 to 2007.

His primary task as conditioning head was to help in seeing to it that the Springboks reached their best level of play – psychologically, physically an emotionally. Amongst others, his duties included the optimisation of the players’ muscle and explosive power, speed, anaerobic ability and technical skills.

Jefferson J Dirks-Korkee en Mart Kotzé

Jefferson J Dirks-Korkee, from Willowmore in the Eastern Cape, and Mart Kotzé from Bloemfontein, recently made history by being the first students from our Department of Drama and Theatre Arts featuring in an Afrikaans South African film Skoonheid, the first ever to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival.

The movie won the Queer Palm Award at the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival, where Robert de Niro was the chairperson of the panel of judges.

Prof. Muriel Meiring, Department of Haematology and Cell Biology

Prof. Muriel Meiring, Specialist Scientist in our Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, is responsible for establishing the Specialised Haemostasis Laboratory at our university and the Universitas Hospital’s National Health Laboratory Service. She established this centre as a reference centre for Von Willebrand disease, a genetic bleeding disorder, in South Africa. This laboratory is internationally recognised for their research and as a reference laboratory.

Prof. Meiring develops and tests antithrombotic (anti-clotting) agents and her long list of publications, research awards and congress presentations has earned her a nomination for the Department of Science and Technology’s Distinguished Woman Scientist Award. She was one of two scientists of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) to receive the award – Prof. Meiring being the only woman from our university.

Medical facilities from all over the country make use of her and her team’s expertise when testing for blood disorders and she hopes to expand the centre even further.

Melinda Jonker

Melinda Jonker, one of our third-year financial economic students, won the overall national competition of the prestigious Traders Trophy competition at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

The competition, sponsored by Nedbank Capital and Oxyor in Amsterdam, requires participants to trade actual JSE-listed shares against one another on a simulated platform. The winner is determined not only by the highest profit, but also by the technique used throughout the trading session.

Christopher Diab, also a student from our Department of Economics, won the regional UFS competition.

ASSAf members

Seven of our academic colleagues have been elected as members of the Academy for Science of South Africa (ASSAf). They are Proff. Hendrik Swart, Physics; André Roodt, Chemistry; Zakkie Pretorius, Plant Sciences; Max Finkelstein, Mathematics; James du Preez, Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology; Maryke Labuschagne, Plant Breeding; and Neil Roos from our Postgraduate School.

Due main objective of the Academy is to promote and apply scientific thought in the service of the society, in order to determine the quality and scope of the role that the Academy can plays in the country’s life and progress, and eventually apply it

Other colleagues who are currently members of ASSAf include Proff. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector; Johan Henning, Dean: Faculty of Law; and Frans Swanepoel, Senior Director: Research Development.

Samantha Renda-Dollman

Samantha Renda-Dollman, a BSc (Zoology) student on our Qwaqwa Campus, has obtained 19 distinctions out of the 22 modules she has written since 2009.

Her hard work earned Samantha the prestigious Dux Student award of our 2011 Annual Student Affairs Excellence Awards, held at our Qwaqwa Campus. This makes her the best overall academic performer of the entire student body on this campus.

Jaco Griessel

Jaco Griessel, an Honours student at our Odeion School for Music, received a prestigious Mandela Rhodes bursary for 2012 to study towards his Master’s degree next year.

Jaco, who is currently busy with his BMus Honours degree, is a performer par excellence, with many achievements to his name. In 2010, he received the Fanie Beetge Prize for the best undergraduate student in Systematic Music Studies. A year before, he received the same prize as best undergraduate student in Historic Music Studies. He shall continue his Master’s degree with Music Composition as field of specialisation at our university in 2012.

Prof. Helena van Zyl, UFS School of Management

Prof. Helena van Zyl, Director of the UFS Business School, was elected as President of the South African Association of Business Schools (SABSA). Since the beginning of 2010 she has been acting as president. Prof. Van Zyl is the first woman to occupy this position and also the first woman who is currently heading a business school in South Africa. She will serve SABSA as the president for the next two years.

Prof. Zakkie Pretorius, Department of Plant Sciences

Research by Prof. Zakkie Pretorius from our Department of Plant Sciences, has become part of Phase II of a mayor global project to combat deadly strains of a wheat pathogen that poses a threat to global food security.

Prof. Pretorius focuses on the identification of resistance in wheat to the stem rust disease and will assist breeders and geneticists in the accurate phenotyping of international breeding lines and mapping populations. In addition, Prof. Pretorius will support scientists from Africa with critical skills development through training programmes.

The Ug99 strain was discovered in Kenya in 1998, but are now also threatening major wheat-growing areas of Southern and Eastern Africa, the Central Asian Republics, the Caucasus, the Indian subcontinent, South America, Australia and North America.

Prof. Danie Strauss, research fellow in the Faculty of Humanities

Prof. Danie Strauss, a research fellow in our Faculty of the Humanities, won the Dooyeweerd Prize from the Board of the Association for Reformational Philosophies in Amsterdam. Prof. Strauss, former Dean of our Faculty of the Humanities and head of our Department of Philosophy, won the prize for his book Philosophy: Discipline of the Disciplines. The prize is awarded for work in the field of systematic philosophy.

Nida Jooste and Ryan Lamb, Abe Bailey Travel Bursary holders

Nida Jooste and Ryan Lamb are two of the proud recipients of Abe Bailey Travel Bursaries. Both students are academic achievers, but also excel in other fields. This is what set them apart from the rest of the applicants for the bursaries.

Ryan (23), a Medical Physics Honours student at our Faculty of Health Sciences, received the Senate’s Medal for the best Bachelor’s Degree student at the UFS. He was one of 100 students at the Brightest Young Minds Summit this year and was one of the 2008 delegates to the World Youth Forum, hosted by the International Association for Poetry and Solidarity in Italy.

Nida (21) is a very familiar face on our Bloemfontein Campus, as she served as the Deputy Chairperson of our Interim Student Council in 2011.

Loerie Award for Tarran Jacobs, Elizabeth Forson and Mafohlela Mahlatsi

The creativity of a group of students from our university was rewarded with a bronze Loerie Award after they won an internal competition. Tarran Jacobs, Elizabeth Forson and Mafohlela Mahlatsi, all third-year Marketing Communication students, won the award for an advertisement they designed for Cansa.

Each year, the third-year Marketing Communication students of our Department of Communication Science have the opportunity to flex their creative muscles in the Copy-writing class. The challenge is to design two advertisements for any charity organisation by applying the knowledge they gained from the subject in a practical way. The top three groups are then entered for the Loerie and Pendoring awards – two of the most prestigious awards in the South African advertising industry.

The top three groups designed advertisements for Cansa, the South African Blood Service and Crime Line.

Hendrik Kruger and Anke Malan walk away with awards at Pfizer UKZN Young Health Scientists Research Symposium

Two students in our Faculty of Health Sciences won awards at a Pfizer UKZN Young Health Scientists Research Symposium.

Hendrik Kruger, a medical student, represented his group, which won the clinical category with the paper “Injury patterns of occupants surviving motor vehicle accidents in the Free State”. This presentation was based on a study which is the first of its kind in South Africa.

The group with Anke Malan from our Department of Nutrition and Dietetics as presenter received the prize in the community-based category with the presentation ’Knowledge, practices and perceptions of undergraduate students at the UFS regarding the risk factors of osteoporoses’. Anke’s team was also nominated as the overall winner of the symposium. Presentations were delivered in three categories, namely clinical, community-based and laboratory research.

Prof. Louis Scott, Department of Plant Sciences

Prof. Louis Scott from our Department of Plant Sciences was formally rewarded the Fellowship of Royal Society of South Africa (RSSA).

Prof. Scott is an internationally recognised Palinologist at our university and a B-rated scientist.

Fellows of the RSSA are considered to be part of a very elite group of South African scientists who have achieved international acknowledgment.

Prof. Aldo Stroebel, International Academic Programmes in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor

Prof. Aldo Stroebel has been elected as a Founding Member of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).

He is Associate Professor in our Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development and Extension, as well as the Director of International Academic Programmes in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

The Young Academy has as its objectives to represent young scientists in advising the government on science and technology policy and human resource development. In addition, they will prepare the SAYAS to join the Global Young Academy (GYA) to engage with high-level international bodies, including the World Economic Forum.

Prof. Lodewyk Kock, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology

Prof. Lodewyk Kock was a sought-after keynote speaker at various conferences and seminars around the globe on our nanotechnology breakthrough research.

He delivered keynote lectures at international conferences of repute in the USA, China and Greece. In the USA he delivered a the keynote address at the Conference & Exhibition on Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs (Pharma-2011), held in Baltimore, and was a keynote speaker at the 2nd World Congress on Biotechnology in Philadelphia. He was also invited to present various lectures abroad.

He posted two video lectures in e-conference format on his research on the web page of the journal Translational Biomedicine. He was also invited by the International Society of Translational Medicine (ISTM) to head their “Molecular Imaging” Division.

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