Reclaiming the Narrative: Articulate Africa Brings Soul and Solutions to Mental Health
Gugu Madonsela 21 May 2026 The final day of Articulate Africa, a packed three-day Art and Book Fair running from Monday through to Wednesday (18-20 May 2026), culminated in a deeply moving panel discussion that felt less like a formal presentation and more like a sanctuary for human truth. Over its multi-day program, the fair…
De-stigmatising the Voice: Bridging the Divide in South Africa’s Schizophrenia Care
Thabisile Gumede 23 May 2026 As the global community observes World Schizophrenia Awareness Day on May 24, 2026, South Africa finds itself at a crossroads. While medical advancements have made recovery possible, the “shadow pandemic” of stigma continues to isolate the approximately 1% of the population living with Schizophrenia. This year’s theme, “Breaking Myths,” highlights…
Childhood interrupted: Living with early-onset schizophrenia
Stella Moll 23 May 2026 It is a call no parent wants to receive. It was a regular Tuesday when Erin Baker, mother of 12-year-old Ricky, heard that her son had hurt himself at school. “He was in chemistry class, and he just chugged a huge bottle of peroxide. He didn’t know why he did…
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…
