KAMEELRIVIER – The Mpumalanga Mental Health Society (MMHS) celebrated Casual Day under the theme “I See You” on Friday, September 6, at Ga-Morwe Community Hall in Kameelrivier, Dr JS Moroka Municipality.
In attendance were representatives from Epilepsy SA, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Development, and community members.
MMHS was founded in 1994, driven by the rising need for the vital services it offers. It is affiliated with national and international organisations such as the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).
Since 1994, MMHS has functioned under the auspices of the national body of the SAFMH, which aims to coordinate, monitor, and promote services for persons with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities (mental illness) and to promote mental well-being.
MMHS has nine offices around Mpumalanga, namely in Siyabuswa, Middelburg, Delmas, Secunda, Standerton, Piet Retief, Nelspruit, Bushbuckridge, and Lydenburg, with 23 staff members: 1 Provincial Director, 3 Managers, 18 Social Workers, and 1 Social Auxiliary Worker.
Nomthandazo Masango, the Social Work Manager at MMHS Nkangala District, expressed a deep commitment to advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities by raising awareness in the local community.
She further explained that despite their passion, they encounter numerous obstacles daily, including a scarcity of governmental educational psychologists available to evaluate children with learning disabilities for potential placement in specialised institutions.
“Lack of assistance from the SAPS to apprehend mental health care users so they can be admitted to hospital for 72 hours’ observation, as stated by the Mental Care Act. Limited residential care facilities to admit persons with disabilities and mental health care users. Lack of funding, as NPOs depend on sponsors, just to name them,” Masango said.
Masango went on to say that community members should report the abuse of persons with disabilities and mental health care users and report the misuse of disability grants.
“Don’t lock children with disabilities inside the house; they too have the right to education. Support and care for persons with disabilities, advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities,” she concluded.
Nothukuthula Kabini, Assistant Manager at Vukuzenzele Stimulation Centre, said that it is difficult to work at the centre because most parents do not register their children and are hiding them.
“Parents should bring their kids to the centre so that they can improve. We are here to help them, and again, these kids get grants, so it should be easy for them to pay,” Kabini said.
Casual Day is the flagship awareness and fundraising initiative of the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), observed on September 6, every year.
