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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

Contemporary Modes of Othering at UFS this May
2015-05-18

 

The Centre for Africa Studies at the UFS is hosting an interdisciplinary project on the Bloemfontein Campus from 20-22 May 2015.

The project, entitled Contemporary Modes of Othering: Its Perpetuation and Resistance, will look at different perspectives, representations, and art forms of otherness, how it is perceived, and how it is resisted.

The programme, which will run over three days, is as follows:

Wednesday 20 May at 19:00

Official Opening of Exhibition: ‘Representations of Otherness and Resistance’
Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery, Sasol Library
Opening: Prof Lucius Botes
Speaker: Ms Annali Dempsey, Curator UJ Art Gallery
Exhibition will run from 21 May to 19 June 2015

Thursday 21 May

10:00-11:00
Critical Dialogue: ‘Representations of Otherness and Resistance’
Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery (Facilitator: Prof. Gobodo-Madikizela)

11:30-13:00
Roundtable: ‘Music, Resistance, and the Residue of Race’
Odeion School of Music, Odeion Room 6

14:00-15:00
Seminar: ‘Reading the Past across Generations through the Image of the Hector Pieterson Iconic Photograph: Shaping of a New Consciousness’
Prof Gobodo-Madikizela, FGG 201

16:00-17:00
Seminar: Living Motswako, Centre for Africa Studies
President Steyn Annex Building, Committee Room (ground floor)

18:00-20:00
Africa Day Memorial Lecture ‘Youth Protests and Political Change in Africa’
Prof Alcinda Honwana, CR Swart Auditorium

Friday 22 May

10:00-11:00
Seminar: ‘Collectively Born (Un)free’, Prof. Steyn Kotze, FGG 201

11:00-11:30
Tea/Coffee Break, Scaena Foyer

11:30-12:30
Visual Presentation: ‘Linguistic Tokenism and Branding through Art in SA Advertising’
Prof Van Niekerk & Dr Conradie, Scaena Foyer

12:30-13:30
Performance: ‘Playland’
Scaena Teatre (Facilitator: Mr Willem Ellis)

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