The University of KwaZulu- Natal (UKZN) College of Health Sciences Student Support Services (CHS SSS) team assisted at a Mental Health Awareness Day championed by Master’s in Physiology degree student, Ms Survivor Gwala.

The day was held in commemoration of Mental Health Awareness Month in October.

Green ribbons symbolising growth, renewal and hope were given to students and passers-by on the Westville campus quad by the SSS Student Wellness and Academic Transformation (SWAT) team who also helped to hand out mental health and wellness pamphlets as well as sweets and chips.

The event’s key message was: ‘Celebrate Mental Health Month with a little sweetness! Grab your ribbon and a treat – a reminder to care for your mind and yourself’.

The general feeling was that speaking about mental health issues was not always easy for students but it helped that SSS created avenues for professional counselling and communication. Ms Kristy Greener, student counsellor commented on the event. She said, “CHS SSS were proud to work alongside the students spreading the message around mental health. We aim to promote mental health literacy, encourage help seeking behaviour and challenge stigmas and misconceptions about mental health.”

Gwala’s ongoing research – supervised by CHS Dean of Research, Professor Bongani Nkambule – is on psychosis from a haematology and neuroscience lens. Nkambule said students often experienced challenges and obstacles in their academic journey, which could lead to mental health issues and that was the main reason for the day’s initiative being held in collaboration with SSS.

Gwala, who said she hoped the day would grow into an annual event, thanked SSS peer wellness mentors and student counsellor, Ms Kristy Greener, for their assistance.