The Faculty of Health Sciences was abuzz in bright, “crazy” socks on Friday, 02 June despite the cold weather, demonstrating their wide support of the “#CaringForOurCarers” campaign. Staff and students at the Faculty were treated to a steaming hot cup of soup and a tasty doughnut whilst being informed of the mental health support resources readily available to UP members and to offer them encouragement for contributing to the vital role that they play in the society.

Hosted on the first Friday in June in advocacy of the international “Crazy Socks 4 Docs” day, the Faculty’s “#CaringForOurCarers” campaign’s celebratory event occurred between 07:00 and 08:30 at entrances to the Pathology Building, Health Sciences Building, Oral and Dental Hospital, as well as at the Tšwelopele courtyard. Underpinned by its aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, the campaign endeavoured to show that UP is serious about mental health matters, encouraging staff and students within the healthcare industry to break the silence surrounding mental health issues.

With increasing pressure on healthcare workers, leading to their burnout and illness, many are not coping with the challenges – and are not talking about it or getting help. This was worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic when South Africa’s hospitals came under heavy pressure as admissions rapidly escalated, adding to the challenges of medical staff who put patients' needs above their own.

The “#CaringForOurCarers” event aimed to encourage healthcare workers to prioritise their own mental health, and to seek help that’s available, should they need it. Faculty members were encouraged to “Come grab some soup, get a hug and wear your socks, and grab your ribbons for mental health awareness”, at the event, where an adorable, cheery stuffed-toy penguin mascot representing Wysa - an AI chatbot, self-help and therapy app - was available for free hugs at each station.

After collecting the butternut soup or doughnut, participants were encouraged to self-reflect by writing how they were feeling and what they were grateful for on a themed whiteboard. Some attributed their peace of mind to their religious beliefs. Some appreciated the influence of their families or loved ones, or life itself, with moms receiving most terms of endearment, whilst one person expressed their thanks for the energy drink, Red Bull.

Committed carer in the Oncology Department, Raisibe Monama, says she is happy to be alive and is grateful that the campaign was premised on the question: How are you feeling today? “Most people do not understand mental health issues, often dismissing people who show signs of it by saying that this person has a ‘screw loose’, but it is important to be able to talk about one’s feelings and know that you can get help and feel better by sharing,” she adds.

Considering the pandemic, which claimed more than 100 000 lives in South Africa, shy carer Tebogo Magongoa, occupational hygiene assistant, says many colleagues are just thankful to be alive. “Awareness campaigns put the spotlight on a subject people don’t want to talk about, ensuring they [become] comfortable to discuss it.”

Fourth-year physiotherapy student, Omphile Makhafola, was eager to hug Wysa, saying that this event was “a good start to the morning”. Nicole van Heerden, a volunteer at the event, gave Makhafola a friendly pat on the back before elaborating that the campaign was about spreading love and helping people on campus recognise that there are ways to deal with mental health challenges. “Wysa is an amazing app which can listen, and provide virtually anything one may need in terms of advice or self-help on mental health issues.”

Helpful security officer Lungile Dlamini, who also served as a volunteer, says the campaign worked for her because they enabled people to take a moment to reflect on the importance of their psychological health. “I feel it’s a good thing because one is usually under pressure to deliver without looking at one’s health,” she adds.

Jackie Mabokela, of the office of the Dean, was also eager to hug Wysa, saying that, as a mom of two children, aged 17 and 14, one is always focused on life’s daily demands, in addition to work needs, and times can be challenging. “Initiatives like this can help relieve stress and provide a lighter moment while ensuring that people realise that mental health challenges are real and need such interventions,” she adds.

Although relaying that some people believe “More must be done”, final-year medical student Nicole Neser warmly welcomed the “#CaringForOurCarers” campaign, describing it as a great initiative. Having downloaded the Wysa application herself, Neser was impressed at the range of assistance it offers.

Enthusiastic about this topic, Faculty Student Advisor Corne Nel indicated that students in the healthcare field were battling to cope with some of the pressures, and that some struggled emotionally. “This campaign brings it out into the open with a message that we are here to help,” she explains. “I often tell students that we at UP are very clever. But we cannot read minds, so share your challenges, and let’s work together to overcome them,” Nel encouragingly said.

Violet Phooko, who works in the Transformation Office at UP, admitted that, although she studied psychology, she realised that addressing mental health issues is not as well understood or supported. “For me, this initiative is about understanding and saying loudly, we care about your well-being and as UP, we are here to assist,” Phooko adds. Violet shared that last year’s campaign was about supporting the acknowledgement of mental health issues in healthcare workers through the wearing of “crazy, or funky” socks that were handed out; and that this year, soup and doughnuts, along with sky-blue ribbons of hope were shared with everyone - the staff and students loved it. “In corridors, at least one gets a sense now that mental health challenges are real. We acknowledge it is a problem we are committed to addressing,” she says.

Through full access to the Wysa app, Phooko says staff and students will be able to actively get mental health support.  

In a recorded message, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe said: “I have a large collection of crazy socks; I wear them for two reasons, but the main reason I wear them is in solidarity with the mental health challenges of health workers, which most of us are not aware of, in solidarity and support of our valued health care workers. Please wear crazy socks.”

To get help, contact the UP Careline on 0800 747 747, the Cipla Mental Health Helpline on 0800 456 789, or SMS SADAG on 31393.

To see how the Faculty of Health Sciences continues its mental health support campaign for 2023, follow us on social media:

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