The South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) is a national level nonprofit organisation that coordinates the largest national mental health advocacy movement in South Africa. SAFMH is constituted by 17 community-based mental health service providers (all NGOs called “Mental Health Societies”) who deliver essential frontline, community-based mental health services, ranging from counselling, outreach, to residential and day care programmes to vulnerable communities.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the directors and senior staff of the 17 Mental Health Societies (MHS) would meet for a two-day workshop twice a year in person. During these meetings, they would share updates about their mental health programmes and activities with each other, along with doing joint problem-solving. This sharing allowed for inter-provincial collaboration, implementation of best practices for improving accessibility of culturally sensitive community based mental healthcare and shaping of national mental health advocacy priorities from the community level upwards.
However, the movement had not had an in-person meeting since 2020 and there was a growing sense of disconnectedness, especially as there had been a number of new MHS directors entering the movement. In an effort to reconnect and strengthen this wonderful mental health movement, SAFMH (supported by Tekano) brought together the MHS directors at our offices in Johannesburg for a three-day workshop focused on recommitting to the work of community based mental health care in the country.
DAY 1: RE-CONNECT
Day one was all about introductions and reconnections as the directors arrived into the space, some knowing each other for years and some never having met in person before. There were a few activities in place to guide connection, including a fun game of ‘what’s in the bag’ and passion bingo. The directors were also given space to reflect on their roles as well as the wider national mental health movement. We also looked ahead to how we can begin to strengthen the movement and our advocacy for improving accessibility of culturally sensitive community based mental healthcare.
I missed day 1. I was so sad because when I joined the group you could already feel that something happened. People were accommodated into the federation as if they had been there for years; They felt welcomed and strengthened to the group. Other the three days I felt like it was family. The activities created and environment where everyone could join in. Nobody was excluded.
Day 2: EXPLORE
Time is never on the side of the directors so we wanted to create space and time for curiosity and creativity during day 2. We started with an incredible session curated by Itumeleng Moeketsi, an Atlantic Fellow, professional facilitator, actor, curator, and performing artist. The MHS directors were certainly pushed out of their comfort zones but everyone found the session to be fulfilling and fun. We then took the creativity sparked by the morning session to talk about the various programmes and services offered by the MHS and thinking about one joint national programme the movement can work on together.
DAY 3: CONTENT
We dove right into content on day three, including unpacking important policies for the sector. We also had some directors share their expertise on financial sustainability, which everyone found helpful and motivating. To wrap-up, we recommitted to continue building this mental health movement and there were calls for more meetings to happen in the future. All in all it felt like we really expanded the imagination about what is possible for mental health services in communities across South Africa.
We are confident when we say the movement is back and stronger than ever!
Networking with each other face to face is important. Participation was amazing. Much achieved in so many ways, sharing and learning, planning and committing to SAFMH and each other. There was something for everyone. These days have really contributed to empowerment, acknowledgment and amazing care.
Watch how the three days unfolded below!
For contact details of all MHS, please see here.
