“We have to take care of our mental health like we take care of the rest of our body.”
So says Soraya Solomon, director for Friends of Valkenberg Trust.
The Observatory-based organisation has been supporting the recovery of those admitted to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for the past 29 years.
The Trust is the brainchild of Brian Robertson, a Professor of Psychiatry at UCT and Head of Psychiatric Services.
In 1994, Robertson and his wife Francoise wanted to improve conditions for the patients at the hospital.
Following consultations with various stakeholders, the duo started the organisation.
Today volunteers for the Trust work alongside the hospital staff to offer a range of services to support patients’ recovery journey.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2019, one in every eight people or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common.
Solomon says the organisation provides programmes such as recovery groups, basic patient needs, recreational recovery and skills development among others.
“We have a food depot; this is where we give them a food parcel to go home with. They can choose their groceries. And we also have a clothing depot, because patients who are admitted often don’t have enough clothes.”
Solomon explains that they often run out of clothing, especially men’s clothes and shoes. She adds that, like all organisations, they rely on donations and funds.
“We need donations of pre-loved clothes, bric-a-brac, furniture, or non-perishable foods. We are always running low on men’s clothes. We need sizes small to extra-large. Shoes for men and women are also scarce. Whatever clothing donations we receive we first see to the clothing depot and whatever is left, we sell.”
She says the Friendly Shop was established to help keep the organisation sustainable.
According to Solomon, the shop, which employs about seven patients, consists of three sections: takeaways, a tuck-shop and the bric-a-brac.
“At the shop, we train patients in food preparation skills and basic hospitality skills. In the tuck-shop, they learn how to work with money. Thanks to the McFarlane Foundation that funded the first training of baristas. We now run a successful barista station in the shop. We trained about 12 patients to become baristas in the hope that when they get discharged, they can look for employment.”
She says they would like to grow their skills development programme but says they need funds to achieve this.
“We are calling on the corporate world to get involved, hotels to train people in the hotel industry. Many of these patients are talented. They just need the proper skills training. We also have our Ward Recovery programme, which includes cooking, arts and crafts and sports, to help keep patients focused.”
Solomon encourages people to prioritise their mental health.
“We run to the doctor when we have an ailment or pain, but most times the issue of mental health is dealt with when the patient is ready for admission. Break the stigma and seek help as quickly as possible. Mental illness is like any other health illness. Pick up the phone. There are many helplines available.”
Solomon appeals to the department of health to do more to assist mentally challenged patients.
“The department of health should pay more attention to making resources available to the poor and most vulnerable who cannot afford to take care of their mental health. More needs to be done to reach out and to help people on their recovery journey, that’s key because some people can recover from mental health if they have the proper care through their recovery journey.”
Elaine Smith (63), Friendly Shop Manager, has been working in the store for the past 20 years.
She says 20 years ago the shop started in a small room with only a few goods to sell.
She explained that she became more involved in the facility when her late younger sister, who had bipolar, was admitted there a few years ago.
Smith manages seven staff members, all of whom are patients at the facility. She says although it is challenging at times, she is still passionate about her job.
“I have God in my heart, he pushes me. I cannot do it without him. I pray this shop stays around for a long time and that it exceeds all expectations. I still love my job and I have compassion for my staff, it’s almost like they are my children.”
One of the patients working as a barista in the Friendly Shop, says he was admitted to the institution in 2015.
The patient, who cannot be named as per hospital policy, says working in the shop and becoming a barista changed his life and keeps him motivated.
“I used to work at Wimpy and learned a few things there, but I always had a passion for making coffee. I enjoy making coffee because I am putting a smile on people’s faces. I enjoy working at the shop. There are days when I struggle mentally, but the hospital staff is supportive.”
The man says he plans to save enough money so that when he is discharged, he can afford his place.
“You cannot expect things to come to you, you have to work for it,” he concludes.
- To donate call 021 447 2092 or email office@friendsofvalkenberg.co.za
