Understanding ADHD Beyond the Label – World Mental Health Month
By Laurian Ward, Counselling Psychologist – Pretoria East October marks World Mental Health Month, a time to reflect on how we understand and respond to the challenges people face in their emotional and cognitive worlds. One topic that has received increasing attention in recent years is ADHD – a term that now seems to appear […]
Maternal Mental Health: The Mother Behind the Baby
October is Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa, making it an important time to talk about an area that is often overlooked: maternal mental health. Much of the attention surrounding pregnancy and childbirth naturally focuses on the physical health of the mother and the wellbeing of the baby. Yet the emotional and psychological wellbeing […]
10 Problems Teenagers Face With Today Socially
Advances in technology mean that today’s teenagers are facing issues that no previous generation has ever seen. While some issues are not new, electronic media has changed or amplified some of the struggles young people face. The average teen spends over nine hours each day using their electronic devices. Their social media habits and media […]
What are the Main Differences between Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks
With a panic attack or an anxiety attack, it is near impossible for the sufferer to know which of the mental health conditions they are experiencing since the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks present in a similar way. Symptoms Associated with Panic and Anxiety Attacks What is the Difference Between a Panic Attack and […]
Neuropathy, Pain, and the Choices We Make
September is Pain Awareness Month, a time to pause and reflect not only on the reality of physical pain but also on the deeper lessons pain teaches us about life and responsibility. One condition that many people live with, but few really understand, is neuropathy. What Does “Neuropathy” Mean? The word itself comes from two […]
What Is Suicide Grief
What Is Suicide Grief — And Why It’s Important to Understand Suicide grief is a complex and often misunderstood form of emotional pain. It’s not only the deep sorrow experienced by those left behind after a suicide, but also the invisible weight carried by individuals who are grieving something so intensely—a loss of identity, connection, […]
International Overdose Awareness Day
Every year on 31 August, International Overdose Awareness Day reminds us of the lives lost to overdose and the many people who continue to struggle with mental illness, substance use and emotional pain. It is also an opportunity to strengthen suicide awareness by recognising that depression, addiction and suicide often intersect. Depression is far more […]
The Role of Genetics in Mental Illness
Genetics can increase mental illness but is not destiny One of the questions I am often asked is, “If mental illness runs in my family, does that mean I will develop it too?” The answer is reassuring: genetics can increase vulnerability, but they do not determine your future. Research has consistently shown that many mental […]
The Season of SADness: Is Your Partner SAD?
As the seasons shift, so do our moods—and sometimes, those changes go deeper than we think, and sadness creeps in. You might notice your partner becoming distant, withdrawn, or irritable around the same time each year. While we often chalk it up to “seasonal blues,” there could be something more serious behind it: Seasonal Affective […]
Therapy Is Not a Sign of Weakness. It’s a Service for Your Mind
For many people, the word therapy still carries unnecessary baggage. Some believe it is only for people who are “falling apart.” Others wonder how someone who doesn’t know them could possibly help. Some fear being judged by friends, family, or colleagues. And for many successful professionals, there is an unspoken belief that seeking therapy somehow […]