Mbombela Mental Health Night focuses on PTSD

Learning and sharing information took centre stage during the annual Mental Health Night on Saturday, October 25.

This year’s event focused on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in both women and men, addressing those directly or indirectly affected by the condition. Speakers shared therapeutic advice and coping techniques.

The event’s founder, Conny ‘Ses Conny’ Ntshane, said it was established to break down barriers to understanding and treating mental health, regardless of gender or social status.

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“We want to tell people at home that they are not alone in facing mental health challenges. If someone is struggling, they should seek help – speak to a doctor, a pastor or attend counselling,” Ntshane said. “There are also teachers, doctors social workers, and police officers who experience PTSD. Mental health is not something that affects only poor people, despite the stigma around it.”

Ntshane explained that mental health is often wrongly associated with certain groups or races. “We invited successful people to this event so that someone from Mganduzweni can relate their own struggles to others who hold high positions in society.

Today we are addressing PTSD – things from our past that continue to haunt us.

She added that many cases of PTSD stem from childhood experiences: “Sometimes a man is emotionally unavailable because his parents did not show him love. Other times, a woman who was sexually abused still struggles in her marriage. People need to seek help when faced with these challenges.

“We can use our stories to change the next generation,” Ntshane said. “We are saying no to avoidable mental health issues, even though we acknowledge there are factors we cannot control, such as Covid-19 or the fluctuating economy. We want people to build positive relationships with themselves and enjoy life.”