October is Mental Awareness Month and various events have been planned at the University of Pretoria.

Talk: Postgraduate students and mental health, 10 October 2019

Venue: Graduate Centre 168, 14:00

• The challenges facing postgraduates
• Balancing studies, work and family responsibilities
• Staying motivated and creating and sustaining momentum with your studies
• Dealing with “negative” feedback from supervisors
• Promoting positive mental health among postgraduates
• Resources available to postgraduates

Talk: Mental Health Awareness Day, 10 October 2019

Venue: SRC Chambers, 17:00

• Awareness and information on depression and suicide (etiquette/sensitivity when dealing with suicide, especially via social media) and promoting positive mental health
• Dealing with academic stress:

– Coping strategies, being proactive, – resources e.g. Faculty Student Advisors and student counselling

– Coping with results after recess, fear of academic exclusion, fear of communicating to parents/family and bursary/sponsor about academic situation (especially if marks are very low)

Click here for more information.

Mental Health Awareness Silent March, 10 October 2019

Venue: Roosmaryn, 12:00

The Psyche Society is collaborating with the SRC and the Drama Department for The Ripple Initiative’s Mental Health Awareness Day. This day entails a Mental Health Awareness silent march during the day (12:00 –13:30) where staff and students are invited to stand against the stigma around mental health issues in our society. The aim of the march is to break the silence around mental health within the university community, particularly the student body, and call for productive, inclusive dialogues surrounding mental health and other related issues that students face.

Mental Health lunch-time talk, 10 October 2019

Venue: HW Snyman North (Boerhaave), 13:00 – 14:00

The Faculty of Health Sciences is holding a Mental Health lunch-time talk titled, “Towards improved primary care mental health screening and services for children and adolescents in South Africa and Zambia”. It will be presented by Dr Gerhard Grobler, Head of the Psychiatric Unit, and is open to students and staff. 

Talk: Student Activism and Mental Health, 14 October 2019

Venue: IT 2-27, 17:00

• Mental Health challenges within this group
• Mental Health challenges within this group
•  Creating a Culture of Compassion in politics
• Finding balance with yourself, your organization you’re affiliated to and with your academic work (not taking on too much, carrying a heavy emotional load because of your organization, self-care, preventing burn-out and being proactive with your own mental health)
• How student political and other leaders can actively contribute to a culture of positive mental health

UP Crisis line 0800 006 428 - offers 24-hour, professional and confidential support to students and staff who fall victim to crimes such as robbery, armed robbery, assault, rape, sexual abuse and hijacking, as well as psychological support.

UP Careline 0800 747 747 - offers 24-hour professional and confidential psychological support for students and staff.

For more information on counselling assistance at UP campuses contact the Student Counselling Unit.