SAFMH extends their Christmas wish
The South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) wishes for mental health to receive the attention, funding, and resources it truly deserves
The South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) wishes communities a restful, safe, and joyous festive season, and reminds residents that there is no health without mental health.
Michel’le Donnelly, communications and awareness leader at SAFMH, said that welcoming the national youth advocacy forum members, from KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Northwest, and Gauteng, for a 3-day workshop in Johannesburg, and SAFMH advocacy lead Shayni Geffen representing the organisation at the United Nations multi-stakeholder hearing on non-communicable diseases and mental health in New York, were the organisation’s highlights for 2025.
She also highlighted the launch of the South African Positive Mental Health Photo Library. Research shows that the type of image used to depict a condition can influence how that condition is perceived, which in turn can affect how persons living with the condition are treated.
Donnelly explained that they partnered with the Masiviwe project to develop the photo library. “Inspired by similar work done by The Mental Health Foundation, this library aims to destigmatise mental health, sharing positive photographs of persons living with mental health conditions within the South African context.”
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He added that all of their community-based partners, known as mental health societies, who continue to provide mental health services in the face of trying times and uncertain funding, remain their heroes. “SAFMH acknowledges the contribution made by the staff of the mental health societies, who work tirelessly to assist mental health care users and their families in the communities they serve.
“We thank them sincerely for their hard work and the care shown.”
to those who benefit from their services.”
Funding and resourcing have been a real challenge facing many community organisations, including SAFMH. “This Christmas, our wish is for mental health to receive the attention, funding, and resources it truly deserves.”
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