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Author: Southside Church

  • Only 1 in 4 people are receiving therapy for mental health issues.

    Only 1 in 4 people are receiving therapy for mental health issues.

    Therapy for mental health matters

    The 2022 World Mental Health Report found that 970 million people living with mental disorders globally in 2019, including 14% of the world’s adolescents. Suicide is the fourth-highest cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds, and 82% of people with mental disorders reside in low- and middle-income countries. South Africa’s history of apartheid, including its migrant labour models, has harmed women’s and children’s mental health, leading to absent fathers and child-headed households. Mental health services in South Africa are inadequate, both in the public and private sector.

    Mental health in South Africa is unacceptably low, with only 27% receiving treatment.

    Community-based Therapy

    Community-based care is the frontline defence of any healthcare system, and South Africa must find the will and financial wherewithal to strengthen care at the community level. There is a shortage of mental health specialists, and poorer areas struggle to access healthcare due to socio-economic reasons.

    For more on this and a link to the original arctile click here.

  • Education plays key role in (self) employment

    Employment - crowd of people near building waiting for job interview

    While the article expounds on the key role of education, specially tertiary education, plays in employment it does not specify whether the statistic around ’employment’ includes those that are self-employed.

    Self-employment is the real key

    It is the opinion of UPside that education is not only key to ’employment’ but rather economic self sufficiency. After all it is economic self sufficient whether through formal employment or self-employment that will drive the economic engine of South Africa to help fuel social upliftment. Far more research and support needs to be given to self-employment.

    For more on UPside’s employability programme click here.

    For the full article in BussinessTech click here.

  • What is Lay Counseling, and Why is it Important?

    UPside’s emotional health lay counselling programme has offered free services since 2020. Since 2023 that programme has been re-imaged as ALONGside. How you might ask, does lay counselling differ from other forms of counselling or therapy?

    “Lay counselling” is often misunderstood as it differs from typical counselling, where clients meet with licensed medical professionals for advice and guidance. Lay counselling involves non-ordained, trained volunteers who guide and support others under supervision. Lay counsellors maintain strict confidentiality, keep notes and files on their cases, and regularly receive supervision from higher qualified counsellors.

    This first line of counselling immediately creates two benefits. Firstly, it makes more counsellors available to more people. Something that is at the heart of the UPside vision. Secondly, it alleviates the burden on pastors, friends and the professional medical fraternity to focus on their core competencies.

    In South Africa, lay counsellors form the first line of contact for most people who “just need someone to talk to”. Making use of a referral system ALONGside counsellors are in a position to refer clients to professional medical support if the client’s needs warrant it and/or if the scope of the counselling challenge is outside their competency. Referrals are done with the client’s consent while maintaining agreed confidentiality and within UPside’s Code of Ethics.

    UPside also offers training for Lay counsellors.

    The original article can be found here.

  • Teen Suicide Prevention Week encourages loved ones to do Mental Health ‘Check In’

    Marking Teen Suicide Prevention Week this week (February 12-19), the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) has encouraged parents, loved ones, family, friends, teachers, and guardians to do mental health “check-ins” with teens.

    Please read the full article here: Teen Suicide Prevention Week encourages loved ones to do Mental Health ‘Check In’ (iol.co.za)

    To chat online, WhatsApp a SADAG counsellor on 076 882 2775 (8am – 5pm) or sms 31393 and a counsellor will call back.

    Or visit www.sadag.org for more resources.

    Or to make an appointment to chat with an ALONGside counsellor, WhatsApp 068 7 49 59 39 (from 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri.)

  • Official UPside NPC Launch

    Sunday the 12 February 2023 saw the official launch of Upside Community Services NPC. Locally know as UPside, this nonprofit company is a registered nonprofit working in the deep south of the Western Cape, South Africa. The NPC has three programmes it is driving;

    • ONside – Education support for both First 1500 Days and Last 1500 Days of a learner’s educational journey
    • IRONside – With a focus on employability. Developing soft skills related to job seeking and self-employment.
    • ALONGside – Emotional health counselling. Providing free lay counselling services to our community.

    Please watch the video below for more details.

  • Teen girls report highest levels of distress, sexual violence in a decade, says CDC

    Almost three in five US teen girls reported feeling sad or hopeless in 2021, the highest level seen in a decade and nearly twice the rate among teenage boys.

    You can read the full article from the Daily Maverick here.

    Are you, or someone you know batteling with depression? Please contact UPside’s free counselling service on;

    WhatsApp (Preferred): 068 7 49 59 39

    Email: [email protected]

    Or your closest support in your area.

  • ‘Make your mental health a priority’: Valkenberg Trust calling on “friends” to assist with donations

    Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital

    “We have to take care of our mental health like we take care of the rest of our body.” 

    So says Soraya Solomon, director for Friends of Valkenberg Trust.

    Read more about this important issue and how to support the Valkenberg Trust. Valkenberg Hospital is the only specialist public psychiatric hospital in the Cape Town Municipality.

    Click here for the original article on News24.

  • Cape Town suburbs where homeless people count

    What happens when you give homeless people jobs alongside social services? Streetscapes, a homelessness-focused project of national non-profit organisation Khulisa Social Solutions, has been finding out.

    Click here to access the original article on Cape Town Etc.

  • ‘Failure is not terminal’ – Cape Town NGO gives unsuccessful candidates a second chance at matric

    Ukhanyo Foundation offers matric students who have failed their exams a second chance at matriculating. 

    The Cape Town-based NGO offers free tutoring, self-improvement workshops and life skills training.

    Twenty-five students used their services in 2022.

    Original News24 Link