Psychological First Aid
Most of us know instinctively what to do if someone falls and bruises their knee. However, when someone experiences mental health challenges, trauma, loss, grief or heartbreak, most people aren’t skilled on how to respond. Emotional wounds may be invisible, but they can be long lasting and pervasi...
How to Support a Family Member Diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder: 6 Practical Tips
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent type of mental disorders in South Africa with one study finding that almost 16% of the population have experienced an anxiety disorder. Another recent study shows that almost 25% of South Africans experience symptoms of probable anxiety. It’s likely that we...
Understanding Adult ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, which presents as persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with one’s daily functioning. The DSM-V classifies ADHD into three subtypes: Predominantly inattentive (diff...
How to Support a Friend Struggling with Mental Health
Learn how to be there - gently, honestly, and without pressure. We all hit low points in life, times when things feel too heavy to carry alone. If someone close to you is struggling, you may find yourself wondering how best to show up for them. What do you say? What if you say the wrong thing? How ...
The Mental Load and its Impact on Mental Health
In homes, offices and communities around South Africa, women quietly juggle a multitude of tasks – an invisible weight that can lead to exhaustion, burnout and mental health challenges. The mental load refers to the cognitive and emotional labour involved in managing daily life. It’s more than ...
Supporting a Loved One with Mental Illness
We often underestimate the impact of being there for others; sometimes without having to do a thing. Sometimes people don’t need advice; they don’t need to be cheered up – they just need to know that they are not alone. Support is an important protective factor against mental illness. Even if...
Zoom Fatigue Is Real – Here’s How to Protect Your Energy Online
If you’ve ever stepped out of a video call feeling unusually tired, foggy, or short-tempered, you’re not imagining it. That drained feeling has a name: Zoom fatigue. Yes, technology keeps us connected. But spending hours online, constantly focusing, listening, speaking, and watching yourself—...
Big Boys DO Cry: Rethinking Men’s Mental Health
Mental health challenges may sometimes remain unnoticed in men, as they tend to present differently than in women. Unlike in women, symptoms of mental health challenges in men may present as irritability, violent outbursts, risky behaviours and substance misuse. While women tend to seek help for th...
Managing Panic Attacks: Grounding Techniques That Really Work
Panic attacks are sudden, intense waves of fear or discomfort that can strike without warning. Though they may feel overwhelming, they are more common than many people realise, and crucially - they are manageable. Equipping yourself with coping effective techniques can help you regain a sense of cal...
