Mental Health for Women is a Human Rights Issue

Dealing with mental wellness in traditional African communities is a challenge. Granted that the question of resources is a real impediment to addressing, adequately and effectively, the issues related to mental health. From both traditional to not-so-traditional forms of culture – denialism, dogmatic attitudes, and archaic, deep-rooted perceptions, contribute to mental wellness being out of reach for many, if not most women. Stigma alone, compounds matters. More so, given that mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders and exists on a complex continuum, which is experienced differently from one person to the next. Not only are mental health issues frowned upon, but most telling and significantly, African communities lack appropriate language and descriptions to address such concerns.

Heal South Africa Together (Heal SA) is committed to the elimination of health disparities that impact women and youth. We provide culturally appropriate free online mental health services, centred on the lived experiences of our people.

The ‘conversations on trauma, resilience, and healing’ – part of the recently held Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls South Africa Conference, on 21 July; yet again, so vividly and powerfully brought to the fore that ‘many of us [have] experienced adversity that has [had] a lasting impact on our physical and emotional health’. Through their book, ‘What happened to you?’; Dr Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey explore how what happens to us in early childhood influences the people we become – challenging us to consistent, yet healthy levels of self-awareness, in terms of how well-regulated we are versus the dysregulated state, and the impact thereof.

“It is our vision that as women in South Africa, we should enjoy the type of freedom, which allows us the comfort to pronounce on how dysregulated we feel, when that happens to be the case, without any fear of judgment. We should be able to get to a state whereby we can readily announce our mental state of health just as we would do so when sharing that we feel unwell due to a common cold or flu that is currently wreaking havoc with our physical bodies;” exclaims Mpadi Makgalo, Founder and CEO of Heal SA.

Heal SA aims to improve South Africans’ mental health through the creation of an enabled environment for accessible quality care. Through its triple-A approach, namely Acceptability, Access, and Affordability – by overcoming obstacles associated with these three pillars – Heal SA’s mission is to nurture a more resilient, compassionate, and mentally fit nation.

“Anyone can experience mental illness. There is no group, gender, sexual identity, race or cultural belief that can prevent it from occurring ……and it’s actually happening at higher rates than most other illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer;” explains Makgalo.

As a registered national, not for profit, non-governmental organisation, Heal SA actively collaborate with individuals, community, government, and private sector stakeholders who share our vision of a thriving South Africa. “By empowering the most vulnerable groups in our communities, such as women and youth, as Heal SA we strives to achieve the highest possible level of mental health for South Africa;” concludes Makgalo.

#Heal SA Together

#Let’s destigmatise mental health

#Mental Health for Women is a Human Rights Issue

#It’s OK not to be OK!