South Africa’s biggest kite festival is raising awareness for Mental Health. Kiters from Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, UK and South Africa will be flying kites.
Cape Town, South Africa – The annual Cape Town International Kite Festival is the most significant mental health awareness event in South Africa. October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the event uses the day to raise funds.
100% of profits go to the Cape Mental Health to provide vital mental health services to children and adults in Cape Town and beyond. Cape Mental Health is an award-winning non-profit organisation providing comprehensive and proactive mental health services in the Western Cape.
Event host and beneficiary, non-profit organisation Cape Mental Health, has been using kites to generate funds and raise awareness of mental wellness since 1994. The annual kite festival is the highlight of the annual October Mental Health Month campaign, which this year focuses on suicide awareness and prevention.
“With self-harm and suicide rates on the rise, we want to share a message of hope and encouragement,” said Dr Ingrid Daniels, director of Cape Mental Health and president-elect of the World Federation for Mental Health.
“Just as kiters use a line to keep hold of their kites, hope can be the line to life. Sometimes you may find hope inside yourself; at other times it may need to come from a friend, a loved one or a professional. The important thing is to hold on and not let go.”
Cape Mental Health provides free mental health services to children and adults, reaching more than 21 000 people each year through 22 programmes and projects. To show your support, go fly a kite at the 25th Cape Town International Kite Festival, make a donation, volunteer or simply share how you will #LetHopeFly on social media.
The 25th Cape Town International Kite Festival takes place in the scenic Zandvlei Nature Reserve, Muizenberg (corner of The Row and Axminster Road) from 10 am to 6 pm on 26 and 27 October. Enjoy family fun that’s good for mind and body – with free kite-making workshops, a festival parade featuring the Ashwin Willemse Orient Marching Show Band, performances by local musicians and dancers, craft stalls, funfair rides and delicious fare from the food trucks. People are also welcome to bring a picnic and relax on the lawns while watching the kites.
For more information, visit www.capementalhealth.co.za, follow @CTKiteFest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or contact Cape Mental Health on 021 447 9040 / 082 897 8173 or email info@cmh.org.za.
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