Book Review: Inside the Concrete Bubble by Thabisile Gumede
Thabisile Gumede, a passionate storyteller and truth seeker, invites readers to delve into the complex world of mental illness with her groundbreaking book, Inside the Concrete Bubble. This compelling narrative is not just a memoir; it’s a profound exploration of the complexities surrounding schizophrenia and an invitation to foster understanding and compassion for those living…
Caring for the Carers: Addressing the Invisible Trauma of South Africa’s Public Sector Nurses
Thembelihle Zwane 12 May 2026 As the global community marks International Nurses Day on May 12, 2026, a spotlight is being shone on an escalating crisis within South Africa’s public health corridors: Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). Unlike standard burnout, STS is the emotional duress that results when an individual hears about or witnesses the firsthand…
The Silent Productivity Killer: South Africa’s Workplace Mental Health Crisis
Thembelihle Zwane 1 May 2026 South Africa is currently grappling with a “silent crisis” as mental illness increasingly infiltrates the workplace, costing the national economy billions in lost productivity and pushing human resource frameworks to their breaking point. New data from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) 2024/2025 “Working Life” survey reveals a…
The Long Weekend Burnout: Why 2026 is seeing a record number of employees unable to “unplug” even during public holidays
Londiwe Buthelezi 1 May 2026 As South Africa prepares to observe Workers’ Day on May 1, 2026, a disturbing trend has emerged in the labour market: the “Long Weekend Burnout.” Despite a calendar year with six long weekends, including the current three-day break, a record number of South African employees report being unable to mentally…
The Tricks and Craziness of the Mind
Ilse Krabben 11 April 2026 We look at people with mental disorders or anxiety as different from us, but if we look closer, we see that their way is actually extremely similar to most humans in this world, just with the volume turned a bit higher, or with fewer tools to know how to cope….
The Gap in the Aftermath: Rethinking Suicide Recovery
Stella Moll 11 April 2026 For Ella Cronje, the trauma of a suicide attempt was followed by a chilling silence. After being treated in the ICU – where she felt judged by staff for a crisis that was “her fault” – she was discharged within 24 hours. No one asked why she did it; no…
Debunking Bipolar Disorder Myths on World Bipolar Awareness Day
Yolanda Mzimela 30 March 2026 Mental health specialists are urging the public to correct widespread misconceptions about bipolar disorder as World Bipolar Awareness Day is observed globally on 30 March. The appeal comes amid renewed attention to the condition, which affects millions worldwide. Psychiatrist Dr. Frans Korb emphasised that the term “bipolar” is frequently misused…
Earseeds Africa brings exclusive wellness workshops to Cape Town
Londiwe Buthelezi 23 March 2026 A fresh approach to wellbeing is arriving in Cape Town as Earseeds Africa introduces a series of interactive workshops centered on auricular therapy. Scheduled for 15 April 2026, these sessions will guide participants through a gentle, natural method for managing stress, improving sleep, and supporting overall balance in daily life….
The breath I had been holding my whole life
Dominique Ceara 14 March 2026 I was not falling apart visibly. That is the thing nobody tells you about survival mode – it looks fine from the outside. You show up. You function. You keep the child alive and the bills paid and the face steady. I was a single mother, and my daughter was…
5 ways to practise gratitude (even when you’re struggling to feel grateful)
Thembelihle Zwane 20 March 2026 On paper, it sounds simple: jot down a few things you’re grateful for each day. We know we should appreciate a warm bed, birdsong at the window, or a peaceful morning. Yet sometimes there’s a gap between what we know is “good” and what we actually feel. Decades of research,…
