KZN Mental Health Advocacy Group

29/04/2026

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29/04/2026

In need of an in-person support group? Contact Satish if you are interested.

27/04/2026

Freedom Day commemorates the first non-racial democratic elections of 1994, marking the end of apartheid and the birth of a new constitutional democracy.

For mental health care, today represents a pivotal moment for healing deep-seated national traumas, promoting equality in access to psychosocial services, and building a society where mental well-being is not a luxury but a fundamental human right.

22/04/2026

Happening today!

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21/04/2026

A list of WhatsApp groups for mums who need psychological support 👇🏾

Our WhatsApp Support Groups⬇️

DURBAN - Alex - 083 788 0689

DURBAN UPPER HIGHWAY - Alex - 083 788 0689

EASTERN CAPE - Eryn - 065 825 1399

GAUTENG - Tlotlisang - 071 608 8142

CAPE TOWN & SURROUNDS - Shade - 061 002 4932

NORTH WEST - Bianca - 067 420 3285

OTHER/REMOTE AREAS - Keryn - 066 014 7330

SUPPORT FOR MUMS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS - Ramanya - 067 648 0109

21/04/2026

Psychologist Dr Stanley Arumugam writes that strength must be redefined.

"A strong man is not one who dominates, but one who is self-aware, emotionally present, and able to ask for help".

"The 'tough' man who suppresses emotion, avoids vulnerability and refuses help is not equipped for the psychological demands of this time. That silence turns inward as depression, addiction and despair; or outward as anger, jealousy and violence"

A rising tide of mental health struggles lurks beneath the surface of success in the South African Indian community. Dr Stanley Arumugam explores the silence that hinders healing and advocates for an urgent shift towards open conversations and supportive practices.

20/04/2026

“Many of the adults whom we ultimately admire most were not easy teenagers,” Russell Shaw writes.

He argues that kids with a flair for critical thinking and principled dissent should be championed.

Read the full article here:
https://theatln.tc/oheEh228

19/04/2026

The Open Door Crisis Care Centre lay counselling 8-week course starts on Saturday, May 9.

This course is for lay counsellors, volunteers, educators, psychology students, and community workers who are involved with men, women and children who are facing challenges in the homes, schools, or anyone wishing to improve their own life skills in dealing with conflict, work and social-related problems.

The Open Door Crisis Care Centre's lay counselling course starts May 9. It's ideal for lay counsellors, neighbourhood watch volunteers, educators, and community workers dealing with challenging situations.

19/04/2026

Last week Thursday was World Semicolon Day, observed annually on April 16th.

It is a mental health awareness initiative focused on su***de prevention, hope, and resilience. The semicolon (;) symbol represents a sentence an author could used to end a sentence but chose not to, allowing continuation. The semicolon is a metaphor, signifying that a struggle is a pause, not the end of your story.

15/04/2026

Lived experience plays a vital role in transforming mental health care. Peer support creates spaces of understanding, connection, and hope for those on their recovery journeys.

In this upcoming webinar, we’ll highlight the UPSIDES project. An international initiative working to strengthen mental health systems by expanding peer support across diverse, and low-resource settings.

🔗 Learn more here: https://www.upsides.org/project/

📅 Date: 16 April 2026
⏰ Time: 6 PM – 7:30 PM SAST

Discover how peer support is contributing to more inclusive, recovery-focused mental health services around the world.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ypOQldz-TCaPRQwiTW_7-g

13/04/2026

Professor Keith Bellizzi has been studying resilience for 20 years. What has he learnt?

We are living in a time of burnout and rising mental health challenges, where cultural pressure to appear "strong" often leaves people silently struggling.

An insistence on relentless optimism can backfire, making people feel inadequate when they feel pain.

Resilience is not about returning to who you were before illness, loss or trauma. It is about becoming someone new: someone who carries the scar, remembers the loss and still chooses to engage with life.

Push through, stay strong, fight back – people often think of resilience as being tough and having grit. But research suggests it’s more about acknowledging the scars as you continue to move forward.

08/04/2026

Happy World Health Day!
True wellness isn't just about physical health; it's about nurturing our minds and our emotions. Today is a powerful reminder to champion both mental and physical well-being!
Healing, resilience and personal growth happen when we care for ourselves holistically and show up for one another.