Depression-free community event took place in Tembisa
#MaskOff campaign to raise awareness of depression.
On March 23, Tembisa hosted the #MaskOff march and mental health awareness event at Esivana sports grounds, on the corner of Zephania Msebenzi and Benin streets.
The #MaskOff initiative aims to inform people about different types of mental conditions and break the stigma by showing different faces and classes of people managing mental conditions. It also aims to introduce different avenues of treatment and management of mental conditions. The initiative will help establish support as we will have campaigns on an ongoing basis.
#MaskOff is an initiative started by Xoli Madlala (40) in partnership with Cipla, an Indian multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company. Madlala, who started going through early menopause at around the age of 33, started to post about her journey on social media after discovering that she was suffering from depression. Madlala said what made her sit and take notice was when she started to have dark suicidal thoughts and living a double life where she would put a smile on in public, but alone she would crumble from the inside.
“I realised that I need to go seek help or else I would continue to sink deeper. I came out on the other side because I got informed and took the mask off,” said Madlala.
“I have decided to start raising awareness in Tembisa. The plan is to take it across different townships and squatter camps,” added Madlala.
The panel of speakers will feature people managing mental conditions (men and women), people living or working with people managing mental conditions and medical practitioners from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).
The programme begins at 9am and ends at 12.30pm. From 7.30am to 8.45am there will be a march. They are calling out to the community members at large to take part in the event. The entrance is free.
For more information, contact Madlala on Facebook at Xoli Madlala #MaskOff or contact her on 084 777 0122. #MaskOff #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay #DontLabelMe #MentalHealth#MentalHealthMatter.
