Mental Health Awareness Month
Kgang Maimane
By: Kgang Maimane
Mental Health Awareness Month
October has been declared Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa. It is time to educate the public about mental health and help reduce discrimination faced by people with mental health issues. The South African theme for 2025 is “Together for Mental Health. The world observes October 10 as Mental Health Day, with a theme for 2025: “Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies.” Mental health is not adequately addressed in our community of Phokeng; it is rarely talked about, and people are often referred to as “mad,” which is discriminatory.
Many community members are unaware that it is Mental Health Awareness Month and do not know about any programs promoting awareness. Mental health issues are often invisible; a person may smile, perform well at work, and appear happy socially while suffering internally. It is frequently said that women are more affected by depression than men; however, men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women. This cultural expectation for men to be tough and not show emotion may contribute to this disparity.
“Mental health is when people experience stress, depression, mental illness, dementia, and memory loss,” says Kgomotso Rangaka, an elderly community member. She explains that one of the common illnesses is dementia, which often affects seniors who may be found wandering confused, sometimes even in other people’s yards. “The community’s failure to understand mental issues like dementia has led to many elders being found confused on the streets or in people’s yards, branded as witches, and sometimes killed in other places. Fortunately, in Phokeng, we have no such incidents, only accusations,” she states. She also mentioned that many young people in our area are experiencing mental health issues due to substance abuse. “We don’t know how to support them or what kind of support we should give. Imagine trying to communicate with someone whose understanding you’re unsure of,” she concluded.
“Some people are born with mental health issues, we call kids slow learners, and parents should monitor their kids as early as possible”. Says Anonymous, a traditional healer. He further states that children can be affected by their parents shouting at them instead of giving proper guidance, or failure to support their children’s condition and acceptance. “People build pressure on themselves seeking to achieve wealth and success, and end up depressed or have anxiety in that situation”. He added that concentrating too much on work without rest, and even taking work home, causes mental fatigue, losing social life, or love life, which can cause a brain tumor or other mental illnesses. “Witchcraft can be used to cause mental health problems in a person. Batho bana le mona, jealousy for your success, education, wealth, and others,” he says. Some people’s mental condition is due to their leaving their culture or spirituality, and that leads to their ancestors or the spiritual realm punishing them with mental illness. “Substance abuse can cause anxiety and depression, and some use substances because of family problems”. He concluded.
As someone who has faced mental health challenges, I carry both the scars and the strength from my journey. Since October is Mental Health Awareness Month, I looked into whether the community in Phokeng recognizes it. “It is silent.” Aside from a few activists posting awareness messages on social media, I feel a strong urge to speak out. I long for safe spaces where we can share stories, speak our truths, and heal together. In our language, they say “Go bua le mongwe goa thusa”-Talking to someone is helpful. The silence must be broken, and safe spaces created to share and discuss mental health.
In conclusion, “Gao nosi”-You are not alone…. Motho ke motho ka Batho.