ALL IN THE MIND

More and more youngsters are opening up about mental health problems and are asking for help

- BY MARSHA DEAN

AS SOUTH Africans observe Mental Health Awareness Month, more and more young people are becoming mindful of their issues.

While mental health difficulties are often stigmatised as disorders and an inability to function in society, it can be more mundane than that.

In fact, most issues arise from everyday challenges. And if untreated, these could lead to depression, anxiety and more serious personality disorders.

While some might feel ashamed to speak out or even admit an issue to themselves, Cassey Chambers, the Operations Director for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), says "it's okay to not be okay but you don't have to go through it alone".

In South Africa one in three people will or do have a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. Furthermore, while women are diagnosed with depression and anxiety more often than men, men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women.

Chambers explained: "SADAG's message for Mental Health Awareness Month is that 'it's OK to not be OK, but you don't have to go through it alone'.

"Only one in 10 people with a mental Illness have access to mental healthcare or treatment, which means 9 out of 10 people with a mental illness do not have access to mental health care. Unfortunately, many South Africans still don't know where to go for help, or they assume that mental health care is only available through private doctors or expensive clinics.