Mental health was the focus of workshop run for about 50 young people from Mitchell’s Plain and surrounds by the Advance Edukos Foundation.
The non-profit organisation creates opportunities for the youth through arts, education, health and skills development.
The workshop, on Thursday October 31, was run by the organisation’s director, Wendy Abrahams, an accredited wellness counsellor, in collaboration with Amandla Development, which promotes access to equal education.
The workshop explained how to identify mental instability, deal with mental challenges, set healthy boundaries and seek help.
The participants took part in a jewellery making session that demonstrated how art can help to work through mental challenges, and they received a jewellery making starter pack.
Advance Edukos Foundation’s Simmonita Brink said: “There is a stigma attached to mental health. Many young people don’t seek support because they are afraid of being discriminated against or labelled as ‘mentally disturbed’.
“We empowered them to seek help should they identify any red flags in their personal lives. If young people get help before the time, it will bring down the suicide rate brought on by anxiety.”
In addition to the mental wellness segment, Amandla Development ran an HIV/Aids and tuberculosis information and testing session.
