Powerful voices filled the room as survivors and advocates came together at the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) event, marking world mental health month. The gathering, held under the theme: Let’s talk: Gender-based violence and mental health, focused on centring survivors’ stories and breaking the silence that surrounds trauma.

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Opening the event, Bharti Patel, national executive director of SAFMH, welcomed attendees and stressed the importance of creating safe spaces where survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) can speak openly and receive mental health support.

Michel’le Donnelly, communications and awareness lead at SAFMH, guided the programme and explained the day’s theme, which aimed to highlight the emotional and psychological toll that GBV continues to have on individuals and communities.

One of the speakers, Dr Zubeda Dangor, from the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA), traced the organisation’s journey of providing refuge for women escaping abusive environments. She ended her presentation with a call for unity. “Coming together was a beginning, staying together is progress, but working together is success.”

From the South African National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of Offenders (NICRO), Sdumiso Dube shared how their programmes help reintegrate offenders into society through counselling and behavioural change initiatives – a reminder that addressing GBV also means preventing reoffending and supporting rehabilitation.

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Perhaps the most emotional moment came when Celeste Luow, from the Tears Foundation, shared her personal experience with GBV, and how it inspired her advocacy work. She explained that the foundation’s services are built from the perspective of survivors, rather than victims. “We don’t use the word victim in our offices. The moment someone reaches out for help, they become a survivor. Our approach is about rethinking support and integrating mental health into every step of recovery.”

Nomaliza Xabana, deputy director at Phola, spoke about their trauma counselling work, emphasising that healing from GBV requires community-based care and long-term psychological support.

The event concluded with a deeply moving testimony from Norma Mbele, who shared her own journey of surviving abuse and fighting for justice. Despite her struggles, she continues to advocate for others who face similar battles. “I didn’t get justice for myself, so I fight for justice for others, but every time I go to fight, I’m mistreated. Still, I keep going.” Her words resonated with many in attendance, capturing the strength and resilience that the event sought to honour.

More than just a commemoration, the SAFMH event became a platform for truth-telling and collective healing – where survivors’ voices were not just heard; they were centred in the national conversation on GBV and mental health.

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