The month of October places the spotlight on mental health, with awareness created of breaking silence on mental illnesses and the celebration of World Mental Health Day on Monday 10 October.
Mental health is the starting point of all health, and with the psychological fall-out of the global Covid-19 pandemic everyone’s mental health may well be at risk.
Mental health care was already under serious pressure before the pandemic, a pressure that has increased so much more.
Mental illnesses such as depression are not about “feeling down” and will not disappear by “just pulling yourself together”. No, depression is a biological illness and, as with other medical conditions, it requires treatment.
Locals can make a difference by joining the in-person or virtual Hope Hike and Hope Bike, an event that raises funds for the Ithemba Foundation to support research into mental health.
The in-person event takes place at Blaauklippen Wine Estate in Stellenbosch on Sunday 2 October. Interested people can enter the 25 km Hope Bike (07:30), 10 km Hope Hike (07:35), or 5 km Hope Hike (07:45). Entry costs R50 for any of the divisions and will be open until 12:00 next Friday (30 September).
The top three finishers will receive prizes, while there will also be a lucky draw.
For the virtual event, entrants can participate at their homes or in their neighbourhood, taking on a comfortable 5 or 10 km hike or trail run, an exhilarating 25 km MTB fun ride or any distance of their choice.
This option’s entries (also R50) are open until Monday 10 October, with participants encouraged to post their photos on the Ithemba Foundation Facebook page until that day (Monday 10 October) to stand a chance of winning one of 10 R500 Woolworths vouchers.
For more information or to enter, visit www.ithembafoundation.org.za.
