In a world where stress, anxiety, and depression are rising at alarming rates, the importance of mental health advocacy cannot be overstated. South Africa, like many other countries, faces the painful reality of widespread mental health struggles compounded by stigma and limited access to care. As the nation prepares to observe World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, the call to action is not only about preventing loss it is about continuing the fight to ensure that mental health is recognised, respected, and prioritised.
Mental Health should never be an afterthought
For years, conversations about mental health have been buried under stigma, shame, and silence. Siboniso Malinga, Mental Wellness Lead at M&G, stresses that advocacy is the antidote to this silence,
“Mental health should never be an afterthought. Advocacy matters because it forces society to confront what we often avoid discussing. Every campaign, every dialogue, every story shared helps to dismantle stigma. If we continue to speak out, we create an environment where people feel safe to ask for help and that can save lives.”
Pride in advocacy campaigns
The passion for advocacy is echoed by Dr Gilbert, who speaks with pride about the ongoing campaign aimed at bringing mental health into every space possible,
“I am proud to be part of a campaign that insists on talking about the importance of mental health. Every life we touch, no matter how small the rooms we enter, guarantees that we are making a difference. Through this project, we are committed to going further into schools, businesses, and institutions because every space is an opportunity to break barriers and bring hope.”
Advocacy as a pathway to change
Mental health advocacy is not just about raising awareness it is about saving lives. The opening up of spaces for dialogue, empowering communities with knowledge, and strengthening support networks, advocates create a lifeline for those struggling in silence. Campaigns that target schools, workplaces, and institutions ensure that mental health support is not a luxury but a basic human need available to all.
Such initiatives are particularly critical in South Africa, where many citisens still face barriers to accessing mental health care. Advocacy bridges that gap by amplifying the urgency of investment, the importance of education, and the necessity of accessible, stigma-free services.Mental health advocacy does not end with raising awareness it must lead to action. This includes ensuring access to quality services, integrating mental health support into schools and workplaces, and training more professionals who can provide care at community level.
Building momentum ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day
As World Suicide Prevention Day approaches, continued advocacy is a reminder that mental health cannot be a once-off conversation. It must remain a priority throughout the year, driving systemic change while also touching lives at the most personal levels. Because at its core, advocacy is not about statistics it is about stories. It is about people. Additionally, it is about the unwavering belief that every conversation, every intervention, and every act of care has the power to change a life.
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