‘Mental health issues affect everyone’ – Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital
Dr Yusuf Dadoo hospital staff and management recently celebrated Mental Health Month in a fun and unique way.
The Dr Yusuf Dadoo hospital recently commemorated Mental Health Month in a unique and fun way by walking around the Monument area to create awareness on Thursday, October 7.
Dr Yusuf Dadoo hospital’s communication officer Puseletso Mabidikame said the theme was ‘Mental health in an unequal world’ with staff and management taking part in several activities
The day started off with a meet and greet with the hospital CEO Patrick Sofohlo, and the staff then received balloons to take with them on the 3,5km fun walk through the Monument area.
“During the walk they gathered for a short prayer. They were tasked with writing issues that affected them personally on the balloons and simultaneously release them into the air as a sign of relief from their emotional burdens,” explained Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital’s communication officer Puseletso Mabidikame.
She said Patrick told them they were now separated from the inner issues that had a negative impact on their lives, and added that they were facing a fresh start which will attract a positive mindset.
When the staff returned to the hospital they attended a mental health talk by Ntombizodwa Mabija, the hospital’s assistant nursing manager.
“She said mental health issues affect everyone, and everyone is crazy in their own unique way,” Puseletso said.
The executive members at the hospital also planted 10 trees that were donated by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture during national Arbor week. Patrick also told the staff about the benefits of trees for one’s mental health.
“These trees were given names that enhance good mental well-being such as faith, happiness, blessings, love and hope, written in different languages.”
Dr Yusuf Dadoo hospital Environmental Health Practitioner Nyeleti Zithata concluded that mental health affects everyone and added that it also has an effect on the way staff interact with each other in the workplace, and suggested that these types of exercises be done on a quarterly basis.
