Soweto stands together for mental health awareness
SADAG united the Soweto community and healthcare workers in a march for Mental Health at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) closed off Mental Health Awareness Month with a powerful march at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBH) in Diepkloof, Soweto, on October 31.
The event called on the community to stand together for change, raise awareness, and support those affected by mental health challenges.
The march brought together mental health stakeholders, community members, and patients, demonstrating a united front in the fight against stigma.
Description: Mental Health Supporters in green shirts as they march
Caption: The community, healthcare workers, stakeholders and patients came out in numbers to support
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Through its #TogetherForMentalHealth campaign, SADAG continued its mission to turn awareness into action and make mental health a national priority.
The event emphasised the urgent need for improved services, accessible care, and stronger support for those living with mental illnesses.
SADAG operations director Cassey Chambers said: “We chose to celebrate the day with a march because we want to show that we are moving – taking action to raise awareness for mental health.
“We live in communities where there is still little knowledge about mental health, and stigma remains high.
“Many people are still afraid to admit when they are struggling. We hope this movement encourages them to seek help and reminds them that they have support.”
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Tendai Mafuma, senior legal researcher at Section 27, noted that the organisation continues to advocate for the right to healthcare services and remains committed to mental health reform.
“We’ve worked with SADAG since 2015, including during the Life Esidimeni tragedy. It’s important for us to be here to commemorate the day and continue highlighting the lessons from that inquest,” Mafuma said.
After visiting various information tents hosted by mental health organisations, attendees participated in an aerobics session – a symbolic reminder of how movement and exercise can contribute to emotional well-being.
The group then marched around the hospital grounds, singing and showing solidarity with those facing mental health struggles.
Description: Mental health supporters in green shirts as they march.
Caption: The community, healthcare workers, stakeholders and patients came out in numbers to support as they marched around the premises of the hospital
Genevieve Mannel, chief digital officer for Cipla Africa, shared her organisation’s long-standing partnership with SADAG.
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“We’ve partnered with SADAG for over 10 years, and the need for awareness remains clear. We created the campaign ‘How is the weather?’ to help people open up without fear or discomfort, creating a safe space for honest conversations,” Mannel explained.
She added that mental health struggles among men often go unnoticed.
“Many men are afraid to speak up, but we hope that after this campaign, they’ll realise they are not alone and that seeking help is a sign of strength,” she concluded.
