We can all reach our full potential by making mental health and well-being a priority. Head of UP’s Student Counselling Unit Dr Hanlé Kirkcaldy tells us how.

Myth and stigma still surround mental health help-seeking behaviour in all societies. Not enough information is disseminated about how to take care of mental health and well-being, and of the importance of making these a priority.

Mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness – it is characterised by living life to the fullest and prioritising our psychological, emotional and social well-being. Mental Health Awareness Month is observed in October in South Africa, and 10 October is World Mental Health Day. This month, we should all be asking ourselves: “How well am I?”

A broad definition of health includes mental health and well-being –  the mind and body are no longer split. While we are sensitised to looking after our physical health – by eating correctly, exercising and living a balanced lifestyle – we often neglect looking after our mental health as part of a regular self-care programme.

The University of Pretoria (UP) wishes to produce resilient graduates and a caring UP community, where mental health is everybody’s business. Psychological resilience is an important part of mental health and well-being. Psychological resilience implies that you can adapt to difficult life experiences, use your social and work resources, and personal coping strategies to come up with imaginative ways to manage challenges – whatever they may be. Psychologist Carol Dweck and colleagues coined the phrase “growth mindset” as opposed to a “fixed mindset”. If you believe your talents, intelligence and abilities are not fixed and can be developed further, you have a growth mindset.

Recent studies show that talent is overrated – rather, it is grit, determination and application that count towards success. A growth mindset support this idea. With this type of mindset, you will face challenges openly and creatively, and set yourself up to succeed. You will see obstacles as part of life’s journey and failures as part of achieving mastery. You will not compare yourself to the achievements of others, but have your sights set firmly on your own goals. You will realise that learning anything requires practice, that feedback is invaluable (even in the form of an unfavourable test result!), and that so-called mistakes and setbacks are temporary, and to be expected. In other words, you will see the bigger picture. 

We are very pleased that an increasing number of students are making use of the Student Counselling Unit’s (SCU) mental health services and products. There are so many ways that students can strengthen their mental health and develop a growth mindset. One could inform oneself by reading the pamphlets and posters displayed on the SCU website, or listen to a podcast on mental health topics. The SCU is embarking on a new podcast series with TuksFM called BounceUP. We highlight ways in which students can develop resilience and “bounce” higher, psychologically speaking, in the face of adversity.

Faculty houses or residences can also invite the SCU to present a webinar or a workshop on mental health topics, such as managing anxiety, resilience building, combatting procrastination and more. Peer-to-peer support groups can be found online and in some residences, and are a wonderful way for students to support one another.

The SCU recently introduced a new service: students can request a quick mental health consultation if they do not wish to contract for individual therapy but would rather come in to talk with one of our counsellors.

Staff and students are reminded that the UP Careline is available around the clock, every day of the week. Through this service – with our mental health partners, the SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) – students and staff can speak to a counsellor confidentially by calling 0800 747 747.

We also invite staff to contact the Employee Well-being Programme at UP (EWP@UP) for the various mental health and wellness services offered at the University, and students to send an email to [email protected] or visit the SCU website.