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06 October 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo iStock

October is recognised as World Mental Health Awareness Month – each year, we observe World Mental Health Day on 10 October. The 2023 theme centres around the idea that ‘Mental health is a universal human right’. World Mental Health Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about mental health issues and foster positive changes for the well-being of all individuals.

Mental disorders encompass a wide spectrum of conditions, each manifesting with its unique set of symptoms. However, they generally share common characteristics, involving deviations in thoughts, emotions, behaviour, and interpersonal relationships. Some examples are schizophrenia, depression, intellectual disabilities, and disorders stemming from substance abuse. Fortunately, many of these conditions can be treated effectively.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Student Counselling and Development (SCD), in collaboration with the Division of Organisational Development (OD) and Employee Well-Being, will be at the forefront of Mental Health Month initiatives, addressing the needs of both students and staff members.

Staff mental health

OD and Employee Well-Being will be hosting a diverse range of staff mental health events under the theme ‘Navigating Uncertain Seas’, drawing parallels between life's unpredictability and the challenging nature of navigating rough waters. Arina Engelbrecht, Employee Well-being Specialist, elaborated, “We believe that just as a boat is built to sail uncertain seas, individuals possess the resilience and strength to navigate life's uncertainties. The campaign aims to promote mental health awareness, reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, and provide tools and support for employees to thrive in both personal and professional aspects.” 

The series, ‘Navigating Uncertain Seas’, includes the following events for UFS staff members:

Navigating Uncertainties (featuring Nicky Abdinor)
Date: 6 October 2023
Time:  12:00-14:00
Venue:  Odeion, Bloemfontein Campus
Work-Life Integration (featuring Dr Asha Malan) 
Date:10 October 2023
Time:  12:45-13:45
Venue:  Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
Resilience Reef (featuring Dr Lerato Makhele)
Date: 12 October 2023
Time: 12:45-13:45
Venue: Ukubizana Auditorium, South Campus  
Date:19 October 2023
Time:  12:45-13:45
Venue:  Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
 
Stress Management Island (featuring Prof Frans Maruma)
Date: 25 October 2023
Time: 12:45-13:45
Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

Click here to RSVP

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers university employees and their families confidential counselling and resources to address personal and work-related issues. The UFS community can reach out to the EAP through various channels, including SMS (text your name to 31581 for a callback), phone (call 0800 004 770 for immediate assistance), WhatsApp (message 66 488 2273), or email (Carecentre@lifehealthcare.co.za).

Mental Health Quote of the Day

Student mental health

SCD offers a range of mental health services for students, including developmental workshops and webinars focusing on coping with stress, emotional intelligence, self-care, building healthy relationships, and relaxation. They also provide extended mental health programmes such as the Self-Esteem project, Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy programme, and the Career Development Project. Additionally, the UFS Student Mental Health Careline is available 24/7, offering confidential telephonic counselling services and individual counselling sessions. SCD can be reached at any time, day or night, through the toll-free Student Careline at 0800 00 6363, with no call charges, or via text on 43302.

Counselling Psychologist Philile Phungula from SCD underscores the significance of mental health as a continuous journey that every student should embark upon. She stated, "Mental health is vital for university students, as it significantly impacts their overall well-being and academic success. The pressures of university and social challenges can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. By prioritising mental health, students can enhance their ability to focus, retain and recall information, and build resilience. Additionally, seeking support and maintaining a balanced lifestyle can promote wellness. SCD aims to encourage students to enjoy a fulfilling educational journey."

To commemorate World Mental Health Month, SCD will host the following events for students:

Movie night and donation drive
Date: 15 October 2023
Time: 18:00
Venue: Callie Human Centre, Bloemfontein

Entry fee: Donation of sanitary towels or any toiletries.

Grow Programme Mental Health Awards (by invitation only)
Date: 27 October 2023
Time: 13:00-14:00
Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

News Archive

Fracking in the Karoo has advantages and disadvantages
2012-05-25

 

Dr Danie Vermeulen
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar
25 May 2012

Fracking for shale gas in the Karoo was laid bare during a public lecture by Dr Danie Vermeulen, Director of the Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS). He shared facts, figures and research with his audience. No “yes” or “no” vote was cast. The audience was left to decide for itself.

The exploitation of shale gas in the pristine Karoo has probably been one of the most debated issues in South Africa since 2011.
 
Dr Vermeulen’s lecture, “The shale gas story in the Karoo: both sides of the coin”, was the first in a series presented by the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science under the theme “Sustainability”. Dr Vermeulen is a trained geo-hydrologist and geologist. He has been involved in fracking in South Africa since the debate started. He went on a study tour to the USA in 2011 to learn more about fracking and he visited the USA to further his investigation in May 2012.
 
Some of the information he shared, includes:

- It is estimated that South Africa has the fifth-largest shale-gas reserves in the world, following on China, the USA, Argentina and Mexico.
- Flow-back water is stored in sealed tanks and not in flow-back dams.
- Fracturing will not contaminate the water in an area, as the drilling of the wells will go far deeper than the groundwater aquifers. Every well has four steel casings – one within the other – with the gaps between them sealed with cement.
- More than a million hydraulic fracturing simulations took place in the USA without compromising fresh groundwater. The surface activities can cause problems because that is where man-made and managerial operations could cause pollution.
- Water use for shale-gas exploration is lower than for other kinds of energy, but the fact that the Karoo is an arid region makes the use of groundwater a sensitive issue. Dr Vermeulen highlighted this aspect as his major concern regarding shale-gas exploration.
- The cost to develop is a quarter of the cost for an oil well in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Dolerite intrusions in the Karoo are an unresearched concern. Dolerite is unique to the South African situation. Dolerite intrusion temperatures exceed 900 °C.

He also addressed the shale-gas footprint, well decommissioning and site reclamation, radio activity in the shale and the low possibility of seismic events.
 
Dr Vermeulen said South Africa is a net importer of energy. About 90% of its power supply is coal-based. For continued economic growth, South Africa needs a stable energy supply. It is also forecast that energy demand in South Africa is growing faster than the average global demand.
 
Unknowns to be addressed in research and exploration are the gas reserves and gas needs of South Africa. Do we have enough water? What will be the visual and social impact? Who must do the exploration?
 
“Only exploration will give us these answers,” Dr Vermeulen said.

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