Mental Health Day celebrated
2007-11-08
MENTAL Health Day was celebrated with the launch of support groups for relatives of psychiatric patients at TC Newman Hospital in Paarl East.
About 130 people attended the meeting, organised by Good Hope Psychological Services.
Mayor Charmaine Manuel gave an encouraging message, followed by an entertaining and inspiring talk by the social worker from Stikland Hospital, Edna Lambrechts.
She explained with the help of the audience, how a psychiatric patient can live a healthy and meaningful life.
The psychiatric patients and their families were a lively audience and especially enjoyed the skit by three drama students from Boland College.
After tea those who wanted to participate in groups were introduced to the group leaders.
Sara van Tonder had the biggest group, for relatives of schizophrenic patients, Peter Molchin had the group for relatives of patients who suffer from depression or anxiety, while Elricka de Villiers had the group for parents of children with behaviour or other problems.
The morning was concluded with a relaxation exercise which left everybody in a good mood.
The support groups will initially run for 6 to 8 sessions.
They are funded by the Department of Health, which awards a sum of money to psychiatric units annually on a rotation basis for celebration of Mental Health Month.
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