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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

Inauguration of Prof Francis Petersen as 14th Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS

2017-05-23

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the UFS, robes Prof Francis Petersen as Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.
Photo: Charl Devenish

“At the UFS, we want to produce graduates for the world, and we need to ensure that we use our knowledge to uplift society”
— Prof Francis Petersen, 14th Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS)

On Friday 19 May 2017, the University of the Free State (UFS) celebrated the inauguration of its 14th Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Francis Petersen. The formal inauguration was held in the Odeion Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus. The ceremony was preceded by a week-long welcoming programme on the three UFS campuses.

The guest list included representatives from local and provincial government, vice-chancellors and rectors from across South Africa, and senior members of the university’s executive management.

During the inaugural address, Prof Petersen paid tribute to his predecessors for the role they played in making the university what it is today. This included former rectors and vice-chancellors who attended the ceremony, such as Prof Francois Retief and Prof Frederick Fourie, and Prof Stef Coetzee and Prof Jonathan Jansen who were unable to attend.

Prof Petersen characterised 2015 and 2016 as watershed years for the South African higher-education system. “The Rhodes Must Fall, and subsequent Fees Must Fall student and staff protests challenged us, and re-energised a critical engagement around the purpose of the university in an equal society, both as a site of complicity and as a potential agent for social change,” said Prof Petersen.

He committed himself to developing the UFS into an institution that will have an even greater impact than before.

“This institution I am striving to establish will be one that responds positively to inclusivity, diversity, and transformation, and which can incorporate these values into our curriculum, scholarship, and research in a productive way,” said Prof Petersen.

Prof Petersen emphasised the importance of the three-campus model. “The University of the Free State is ONE university with three campuses: the Bloemfontein Campus, our South Campus, and the Qwaqwa Campus. I am committed to align the activities of the three campuses, and to integrate our activities to a greater extent.

“We must work together to infuse each campus with the values we have identified as essential if we are to make our mark as a united University of the Free State: academic excellence, diversity and inclusivity, and innovation.”

The Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele, had the honour of handing over the gown to Prof Petersen. Prof Lis Lange, Vice-Rector: Academic, explained the relationship between the university and the Basotho people, and how this relationship is honoured through the official procession gowns of the UFS. The Basotho blanket is worn by kings, and the university therefore hopes that the symbolism of the gown would be a source of inspiration to Prof Petersen.

The event was concluded by congratulatory messages from former colleagues and the President of the Student Representative Council on the Bloemfontein Campus, SK Luwaca. The event was elegant and graceful – the inaugural address was thought-provoking and inspiring.

Official Inauguration Ceremony:

19 May 2017
Bloemfontein Campus

Description: Official Inauguration photo small Tags: Official Inauguration photo small

"I challenge you to dream big and do big." - Prof Petersen

Photo Caption: Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the UFS, robes Prof Francis Petersen as Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.
Photo: Johan Roux

Short biography of Prof Francis Petersen
Inaugural address: 19 May 2017
Transcription of the ceremony
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Video

Welcoming Ceremonies:

The week of 11-19 May 2017 was one of the highlights in this year’s calendar for staff and students of the University of the Free State (UFS), with various ceremonies taking place to welcome Prof Francis Petersen – who assumed his duties on 1 April 2017 – as the 14th Vice-Chancellor and Rector. The festivities culminated in the official inauguration ceremony at the Bloemfontein Campus on 19 May 2017.

The Qwaqwa Campus welcoming ceremony took place on Thursday 11 May 2017, attracting a wide spectrum of community leaders from the area. Prof Petersen was welcomed by representatives from the two trade unions, National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and UVPERSU, as well as representatives from the Student Representative Council (SRC), the Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District, and the House of Traditional Leaders. Paramount Queen Mopeli of the Bakoena Royal House bestowed a special honour upon Prof Petersen by clothing him in a traditional Basotho blanket and hat. She said, "From our heart of hearts, welcome, Prof Francis ..., and all Godspeed during your tenure."

The South Campus in Bloemfontein hosted a welcoming ceremony for the new Vice-Chancellor and Rector on 18 May 2017. The ceremony included a number of vocal performances and messages from various stakeholder groups. The same afternoon, the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice (IRSJ) also facilitated a panel discussion, titled Diversity, inclusivity, and social justice and the renewed call for decolonisation, in the Albert Wessels Auditorium (AWO) on the Bloemfontein Campus.

The welcoming ceremonies culminated in an event in the Callie Human Centre on Friday 19 May 2017 at the Bloemfontein Campus, with a number of performances by musicians associated with the UFS, marimbas, drum majorettes from Jim Fouche Secondary School, the Grey College Gumboots, and school choirs from Eunice Secondary School, Brebner Primary School, and Willem Postma Primary School. Representatives from key stakeholders such as Nehawu, UVPERSU, the Campus Ministries Forum, SRC, Alumni, Convocation, and the UFS Council had the opportunity to convey their messages of welcome to Prof Petersen.

The formal inauguration ceremony took place in the Odeion Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus the same day.

Qwaqwa Campus ceremony:

11 May 2017
Qwaqwa Campus

"Qwaqwa Campus is the perfect laboratory for sustainable sciences.” – Prof Petersen

Photo caption: Paramount Queen Mopeli of the Bakoena Royal House with Prof Petersen and his wife, Cheslyn.
Photo: Mamosa Makaya

Photo Gallery
Video

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Transcription of the ceremony

South Campus ceremony:

18 May 2017
South Campus

"South Campus: you aspire excellence, adding to diversity and you are innovative in what you do." - Prof Petersen

Photo caption: Flag bearers and drummers walking to the Madiba Arena.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

Photo Gallery

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Transcription of the ceremony

Bloemfontein Campus panel discussion:

Panel discussion: Diversity, inclusivity and social justice and the renewed call for decolonisation
18 May 2017
Bloemfontein Campus

Description: Panel discussion 18 May 2017 Tags: Panel discussion 18 May 2017

"The UFS should be a place of belonging for everyone." - Prof Petersen

Photo caption: from left: SK Luwaca (SRC President, Bloemfontein Campus), Prof Elelwani Ramugondo (UCT), Prof Francis Petersen (UFS), Prof Melissa Steyn (WITS), Prof Andre Keet (UFS)
Photo: Lelanie de Wet

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Transcription of panel discussion

Bloemfontein Campus ceremony:
19 May 2017
Bloemfontein Campus

Description: Bloem welcoming ceremony on 19 May 2017 Tags: Bloem welcoming ceremony on 19 May 2017

"I can just say, Wow! I've experienced a lot during the welcoming functions on all three campuses." - Prof Petersen

Photo caption: Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS
Photo: Rulanzen Martin

Photo Gallery

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Transcription of the ceremony

Photo gallery of Inauguration and Welcoming Ceremonies

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