The South African Federation for Mental Health

29/10/2025

The SAFMH Programmes Team had an incredible two days at the 2nd SA Mental Health Conference in Johannesburg! 🌍🧠

We’re coming away inspired by so many meaningful conversations — ready to turn evidence into action and keep pushing for stronger mental health advocacy across South Africa. 💪

A real highlight was sharing more about our National Youth Advocacy Forum, and seeing one of our amazing forum members, Nhalala Baloyi, take the stage to share his story and advocacy journey. 🙌

28/10/2025

📢South Africa faces a 92% treatment gap. This means that fewer than 1 in 10 people living with a mental health condition in South Africa receive the care they need.

🚨Access to mental health care remains a significant challenge in the country. The limited number of mental health care providers contributes to many individuals going undiagnosed and untreated.

Research shows that the rates of mental health conditions are closely linked to the availability, accessibility, and affordability of mental health services.

There is a strong need for better investment to ensure that more affordable, accessible and culturally appropriate mental health services are available for the entire South African population. 💚💚

27/10/2025

On the morning of the 23rd of October 2025, the SA Federation for Mental Health [SAFMH], in collaboration with Tabvuma Mental Health, hosted a “culturally safe and responsive mental health care” webinar.

The webinar saw speakers share practical examples of how culturally grounded, respectful and community-centred care is put into practice, because culture matters in healing.

Together, these voices remind us that cultural safety is not a tick-box exercise. It is a shared responsibility and a continuous practice of listening, learning, and doing better.

If you missed the conversation, you can watch it at the link below:

🔗 https://www.safmh.org/culturally-safe-and-responsive-mental-health-care-lessons-from-australia-and-south-africa/

On the morning of the 23rd of October 2025, the SA Federation for Mental Health [SAFMH], in collaboration with Tabvuma Mental Health, hosted a “culturally safe and responsive mental health care” webinar. The webinar saw speakers share practical examples of how culturally grounded, respectful and...

24/10/2025

📢How’s your October going so far? This month is always a busy and eventful time for us. People want to talk about mental health and we love to see it!

Let's keep mental health trending and the conversations flowing. Have you joined any mental health awareness events happening around the country? Well, there's still time. Here are a few more events as we round up World Mental Health Month 2025.

💚Cape Mental Health is hosting its annual Cape Town International Kite Festival, over two full days on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October 2025, marking a joyful return to the festival’s much-loved extended format at Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery.
📅 Date: 25 - 26 October 2025
📍Youngsfield Military Base, Ottery
🎟️ Tickets available from R40 Per Person (Excluding Booking Fees). You can buy tickets here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/62701-cape-town-international-kite-festival-2025/ #/

💚Topic: Webinar on Advancing the WHO Mental Health Action Plan – Global Perspectives and Country Progress
Dates: 28th October 2025 (Tuesday)
⏰ Time: 16:00 - 17:30 SAST
📌 Register here: https://lshtm.zoom.us/webinar/register/4417605317890/WN_Y72NgNMrQYy6e_Qjk_YjFw #/registration

💚SADAG will wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month with a March for Mental Health at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. The march is a call for understanding, inclusion, and action, reminding us that Mental Health matters to everyone.
📅 Dates: Friday, 31 October 2025
⏰ Time: 10 AM
📍 Location: Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto
🔗 Sign up here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HXN2LTF

23/10/2025

Looks great!

Dear Family and Friends of DSSA, We are excited to present our Webinar - Support Empowers Inclusion - By our National Self-Advocates. Please register here: Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ayY17E8dRwOJXyT1JzSiyw

22/10/2025

🚨 HAPPENING TOMORROW!

Don't forget SAFMH is hosting a joint webinar with Tabvuma Mental Health focused on “Culturally safe and responsive mental health care: Lessons from Australia and South Africa”. 🌏

The webinar will share practical examples of how culturally grounded, respectful and community-centred care is put into practice, because culture matters in healing. 💚 💚

📅 Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
🕘 Time: 9 AM [SAST]
🔗 Register via the link below to secure your virtual seat:

21/10/2025

A Walk to Remember 👟 💚

SAFMH and its National Youth Advocacy Forum Members participated in the KZN Mental Health Walk and Wellness Fair, hosted by the KZN Mental Health Advocacy Group on Sunday, 5 October 2025.

The event was a resounding success, with thousands gathering in Durban to demonstrate their commitment to mental health awareness. 💚

SAFMH was proud to participate alongside its partner organisation, Pietermaritzburg Mental Health Society. A huge thanks to Forum members, Nombulelo and Sam, for flying the SAFMH flag!

16/10/2025

💡 ?

In 2024, the South African Economic Update estimated that crime costs the economy at least 10% of its gross domestic product (GDP) each year.

A 2023 report references a study that found crime-related disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) could account for as much as 7.8% of the country’s GDP, 2.6% of those due to health-related costs. The same study also found that an estimated one-third of these health costs came from emotional distress, which made it difficult for people to cope with daily life.
[Source: The World Bank 🔗 https://rb.gy/bddd75]

🚨 Research shows that crime rates—beyond just personal victimisation—have a strong and measurable impact on mental health.

📢 We call on the Government for increased investment in preventative social programmes that focus on reducing the risk factors for violence.

15/10/2025

🚨 WEBINAR ALERT!

SAFMH is hosting a joint webinar with Tabvuma Mental Health focused on “Culturally safe and responsive mental health care: Lessons from Australia and South Africa”. 🌏

The webinar will share practical examples of how culturally grounded, respectful and community-centred care is put into practice, because culture matters in healing. 💚 💚

📅 Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
🕘 Time: 10 AM [SAST]
🔗 Register via the link below to secure your virtual seat: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/v2D2dzfIQHGcb4baMBU3DQ #/registration

14/10/2025

💡The link between poverty and mental health is cyclical: poverty increases the risk of mental health issues, while poor mental health can make it harder to escape poverty.

Several studies have shown that poverty is a key determinant of children's social and behavioural development and adult mental health.

📢 Advocates argue that any response to address mental ill health and poverty must include programmes that focus on accessing employment support, managing debt and accessing childcare.

Equally important is a significant investment in mental health services, particularly in under-resourced and low-income communities. 💚

For more, make sure to read our World Mental Health Month Campaign Summary here: 🔗 https://www.safmh.org/addressing-violence-as-a-significant-challenge-to-mental-health-in-south-africa/

10/10/2025

📢HAPPY WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 💚💚

Today is an opportunity for governments, civil society, advocates, and communities to call for mental health to be prioritised for all and to address the barriers that prevent people from seeking support.

Read more about our World Mental Health Day 2025 campaign here: 🔗https://www.safmh.org/addressing-violence-as-a-significant-challenge-to-mental-health-in-south-africa/

Below are some ONLINE events you can attend this month:

🌱Join the global community this World Mental Health Day for a webinar on how to ensure mental health services remain accessible during catastrophes and emergencies.
📅 Date: 10 October 2025
🕘 Time: 14:00 SAST
🔗 Register for the online event here: https://lshtm.zoom.us/webinar/register/4817588804649/WN_ZeQGRAXnQIK6JkxeAzuuVw #/registration

🌱Join the International Alliance for Mental Health Research Funders for a free online session exploring how storytelling, evidence, and relationships influence decision-making in mental health research and practice.
📅 Date: 22 October 2025
🕘 Time: 3PM - 6PM SAST
🔗 Register for the event here: b6508836-fa13-4da6-98dd-edd56827ad8c@91a138ee-d6db-40d9-9ca7-44fcd132fa5e" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b6508836-fa13-4da6-98dd-edd56827ad8c@91a138ee-d6db-40d9-9ca7-44fcd132fa5e

🌱SAFMH is hosting a joint webinar with Tabvuma Mental Health, focused on “Culturally safe and responsive mental health care: Lessons from Australia and South Africa”.
📅 Date: 23 October 2025
🕘 Time: 10AM SAST
🔗 Register via this link to secure your virtual seat: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/v2D2dzfIQHGcb4baMBU3DQ #/registration

We invite you to join us as we stand together to make mental health a national priority.

08/10/2025

October is Down syndrome awareness month. Throughout October we will be sharing facts about Down syndrome. Share, ask questions, get the conversation started and help us to raise awareness about Down syndrome. The theme this year is
with persons with Down syndrome asking Give Us The Support WE Need!