MBOMBELA – Traumatic experiences can be beneficial to a person’s mental health.
As July is mental health month, psychologist Jackie Fleetwood has been hosting mental health awareness talks at the Sharelife Centre on the Hermansburg road most Saturdays. Along with her Hometree Therapy team, she runs rooms in Alberton, Linden and now also in Mbombela.
During her talks, she addressed anxiety, emotional intelligence and, on Saturday, depression. She also hosted half-day workshops for ladies, during which they discovered more about themselves through art.
On Saturday, she shared her unique approach to therapy and her desire to find what therapeutic needs locals have. Along with project manager Marietjie Basson, Fleetwood wants to make a difference.
Therapy, according to Fleetwood, can be reactive. The ideal, however, is proactive therapy. “This enables people to handle problems when they come along,” she said. Through therapy, she seeks to empower locals of all ages – children, teenagers and adults. “There are various events or situations in life that people do not necessarily know how to handle. Examples include dealing with difficult situations or people, such as manipulators.”
In addition to the various forms that such stressors can take, Fleetwood acknowledges that not all people will react to such things in the same way, but an aptly prepared person can develop emotional resilience. Armed with that, they can see traumatic situations as opportunities to develop and grow.
“By looking at the individual nature of each person, we can teach them coping methods that suit their unique personalities. Men and women react differently to trying times, as will introverts and extroverts,” she said.
Yet, differentiating between people is not as simple as that. “Mbombela’s residents may see things in one light. Gauteng residents may view life differently,” she said.
According to Fleetwood, everyone gets depressed at some point in their lives. “I want therapy to be considered normal. In fact, it is part of self-enrichment and self-care.” She further added that if someone needs it and postpones going for therapy, the results can be dire. “Without therapy, your depression will end up influencing your performance at work and at home.”
She invited Mbombelans to attend her free session on trauma this Saturday. Contact 083-733-9900.
