According to the World Health Organisation, about 10% to 13% of women experience antenatal and postnatal depression globally, while in most developing countries the condition affects 20% of mothers. In stark contrast, more than 40% of South African women suffer from the condition. Shouqat Mugjenker, Mental Health Portfolio Manager for Pharma Dynamics says no woman […]
Cyberbullying causes Depression, Nightmares and Anorexia
Cyberbullying causes Depression, Nightmares and Anorexia
According to the study Growing Up Online – Connected Kids, conducted by Kaspersky Lab and iconKids & Youth, cyberbullying is a far more dangerous threat to children than many parents think. The consequences for the majority of young victims of online harassment include serious problems with health and socialisation. Cyberbullying is intentional intimidation, persecution or […]
Open letter to a depressed teenager
Open letter to a depressed teenager
“Reaching the desired area, The blade hesitates, quivering, Then slicing slowly, meticulously Into the soft, awaiting flesh. The wound gapes, Smiling at how it has relaxed the skin.” This was the poem I wrote when I was your age, going through something like what you are going through now. I know it feels like nobody […]
Leave Me Alone!
Leave Me Alone!
The realities of teen loneliness, depression and suicide attempts in South Africa By Janine Shamos “There’s no point to this hell called life is there? It never gets better! No-one understands how I feel. They think I’m making it up – just being dramatic and looking for attention. I’ve had enough…”For many teens suffering from […]
When You Need to Pick Yourself Up
When You Need to Pick Yourself Up
Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. You have this idea about something that you want to do or achieve, and you put all your focus, effort and energy into it, and then, boom! – it backfires, leaving you with waves of thoughts of ‘what if’s’ and an aftermath of emotions to deal with. This […]
Making Mental Health Matter
Making Mental Health Matter
Discovery Health and SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group) are proud to announce they will be holding a one day workshop on ‘Making Mental Health Matter” facilitated by the world renowned CBT (cognitive behavioural therapist) expert Prof Stefan Hofmann in both Johannesburg (4 November) and Cape Town (6 November). We would like you to nominate […]
Chromium Fights Atypical Depression
Chromium Fights Atypical Depression
The classic picture of depression is someone who doesn’t eat enough, doesn’t sleep enough and loses weight. But according to Patrick Holford, world-renowned nutritionist and director of the Brain Bio Centre in the UK, they are seeing more and more patients who are gaining weight, feel tired all the time, crave carbohydrates and experience rejection […]
Typical Teen or a Teen in Trouble?
Typical Teen or a Teen in Trouble?
By Janine Shamos Teenagers have their good days and their bad ones. But every so often, a learner will sit in class and he or she isn’t simply ‘having a rough day’; they didn’t just miss the bus or just break up a relationship or just fail a test. They are struggling in life. And […]
Bullying and Teen Suicide
Bullying and Teen Suicide
by Stephanie Harel “For 2 years, Johnny, a quiet 13-year-old boy was a human play-thing for some of his classmates. The teenagers badgered Johnny for money, forced him to swallow weeds and drink milk mixed with detergent, beat him up in the restroom and tied a string around his neck, leading him around as a […]