Residents speak out on mental health awareness

Community members shared their thoughts on mental health, stigma, and emotional wellbeing as South Africa observes mental health awareness month.

June 24, 2026

Thato Modopi 3 minutes read

Granny Ramphisa: I don’t think a lot of people do, but I see there’s a kind of awakening. People are no longer allowing themselves to be abused at work or at home. Photo: Thato Modopi

As mental health awareness month is marked across South Africa, residents took their time to reflect, sharing their views on the importance of mental wellbeing and the challenges many people still face when speaking openly about mental health.

Granny Ramphisa said mental health means understanding oneself, and setting healthy boundaries. “Being secure in myself, understanding myself, what I intend to allow from others, and what I will not allow.”

Read more: Do not ignore mental health issues

Ramphisa believes that although awareness around mental health is improving, many South Africans still do not take it seriously enough, hence more awareness should be created. “I don’t think a lot of people do, but I see there’s a kind of awakening. People are no longer allowing themselves to be abused at work or at home.”

Lesego Mayelo said mental health involves taking care of oneself emotionally and mentally. “Making sure that nothing really damages you mentally.”

Mayelo mentioned that people still struggle to open up about their emotional wellbeing. “Most people don’t talk about their mental health issues. They bottle up everything, so it’s very hard out there.”

To cope with stress, Mayelo said that she usually turns to music and prayer

Another resident, Kelvin Efe, also shared his insightful thoughts on mental health awareness, and the importance of checking in on others. “I would advise us to go out and see the people who can assist with mental health, get ourselves checked out and, in the end, I think solutions will come.”

Yvonne Soyani said she thinks people are starting to take mental health seriously. “I think they do, because remember there’s NGOs that help kids with regards to that. Maybe they’re having family issues which could lead to mental breakdowns and stuff. So there’s NGOs in communities where they help kids with such problems. They differentiate them according to that type of thing.”

Soyani noted that, to keep herself mentally fit, she surrounds herself with people who are funny and positive about life.

South Africa is slowly edging closer to destigmatising mental health problems, however there is still a long way to go. Resident Nkosinathi Khumalo mentioned that people tend to be afraid of what they do not know. “I think most people actually fear what they don’t understand, you know? A lot of people don’t actually have information when it comes to these things. Unless, if maybe they’re an influencer, or on social media. If ever they’re not in social media it will be hard for them to actually understand what it means.”

Also read: South African Federation for Mental Health energises South Africa to advance mental health awareness

Mental health awareness month is observed every year in May to encourage conversations about mental wellbeing, reduce stigma, and promote access to mental health support services.

Vox Pops
Members of the community were asked what mental health means to them, if people take mental health seriously, and what to do when mentally challenged. This is what they had to say: