In an effort to end the stigma around mental disability, a group of people bravely shared their stories of mental health challenges during a storytelling and poetry event at the Observatory Recreation Hall on Thursday 21 July.
The event titled “In my own words”, was organised by Cape Mental Health’s psychosocial rehabilitation programme and saw people with a lived experience of a psychosocial disability take the microphone and, through the power of self-advocacy, help break down the stigma associated with mental illness.
The campaign hopes to build resilience, understanding and acceptance for people who are living with non-visible mental health conditions.
This comes in the wake of Psychosocial Disability Awareness Month commemorated in July.
The organisation ran a series of activities during the month to encourage self-advocacy among its service users.
Cape Mental Health has been at the forefront of supporting self-advocacy groups in the province.
They helped to establish the Cape Consumer Advocacy Body (CCAB) in the 1980s when mental health laws and policies were changing in South Africa.
CCAB is an advocacy group for people with a psychosocial disability who want to speak out about their rights and the issues they face as mental health care service users.
Barbara Meyer, Cape Mental Health communications officer, says their awareness campaign enables people with lived experience of a psychosocial disability to express themselves through radio interviews, videos, storytelling, poetry and art.
She explains that the theme of this year’s campaign was chosen by the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) in conjunction with Cape Mental Health.
People in attendance were also treated to an arts and crafts exhibition where the work of the clients was showcased.
Meyer says inaccurate or misleading media representations of people living with a psychosocial disability contribute to misperceptions.
“Clients called for more awareness about mental health matters, an end to stigma and to encourage more inclusion, acceptance, support and opportunities from their families, community and the government.
“But it also requires a lot of courage and self-awareness to be able to verbalise their vulnerability and mental health needs.”
Meyer explains that self-advocacy is empowering for people living with a psychosocial disability as it gives them the chance to promote and support their own interests and well-being.
She says they offer support to some clients for many years, depending on the support required.
In preparation for the event, the organisation supported clients during interviews to ensure that they can tell their stories authentically without being victimised or misrepresented.
Clement Apollis (35) explains that his journey with mental health challenges started two years ago when he collapsed in his parents’ home in Mitchell’s Plain.
“I was rushed to hospital and the doctors said I have a brain haemorrhage when they started with surgery, I had a stroke in the hospital.
“I was discharged and woke up in my parents’ bedroom.
“I wanted to use the bathroom and collapsed again. I didn’t know that I had a stroke.”
He explains that soon after that, his dad was diagnosed with cancer.
“I felt depressed and frustrated because there was nothing that I could do about it. I started isolating myself. I didn’t want to speak to others.”
He was advised to attend sessions at Fountain House Mitchell’s Plain, a community-based psycho-social rehabilitation centre that provides vocational training and skills development to people living with a psycho-social disability.
“After attending a few sessions, I told them that I would like to continue. There were other people there too with psychosocial disabilities and they were on the recovery road and making the most out of their lives and I wanted the same.”
He explains that since attending the sessions, he felt at home and no longer feels like isolating himself from everyone.
“I have fun and I can smile again; I can laugh and I can interact socially.”
Apollis says currently his focus is on his journey to recovery.
He also shares an encouraging message with others.
“Be careful who you associate yourself with, empower yourself and build a strong mindset and always hope for a better tomorrow.”
