The focus of World Mental Health Day and Awareness Month at SOS Children’s Villages is how it is a human right; this is how they work to support children’s mental well-being to make a difference:
South Africa (16 October 2023) – As we continue to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month, SOS Children’s Village shares how mental health is a human right.
The right to health is a fundamental human right, also recognised by the Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989/ General Assembly resolution 44/25. As health cannot exist without mental health, this year’s theme is: Mental health is a universal human right. Ignoring this component has tremendous consequences on individuals and society.
For children, mental well-being plays a key role in their development and learning abilities. Strong mental health positively affects a child’s quality of life in the long term, strengthens resilience and has overall positive impacts on communities.
Adverse experiences leading to mental health issues have a major impact on a child’s development if not addressed. Similarly, the mental well-being of parents and caregivers is crucial for children.
Children who have lost or who risk losing parental care are more vulnerable to mental health and psychosocial difficulties than their peers. Caregivers and other professionals who work directly with children, adolescents, and families at risk may experience their own mental health pressures, also due to working conditions / being overworked and insufficient resources.
Established in 1982, SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa provides alternative care and child protection services to over 700 children in its villages, and over 4500 children in its Family Strengthening Programme (FSP). The FSP interventions for children are aimed at equipping families to better be able to care for their children so that complete family breakdown is avoided; so that no children have to become orphans.
The programmes aimed at children aim to equip each child to grow into a self-reliant adult, who can become a contributing member of society. In the care of SOS Children’s Villages and at every stage of their lives, the children are afforded psychological, emotional, psycho-social care, fully supported by professional social workers and a team of other childcare experts available to the children 24/7.
“Children without adequate parental care have often experienced high levels of stress, traumatic events and repeated adverse childhood experiences, including the separation from their family. Child-family separation impacts their ability to trust others and build relationships, and has serious consequences for a child’s personality development, including low self-esteem, attachment disorders and anxiety. Moreover, mental health pressure is further exacerbated for young care leavers due to being left with little or no support when transitioning to independent living”, says Lebo Phaweni: Head of Communications at SOS Children’s Villages.
It means that adequate support and services are needed for young people who leave alternative care and have no support from their parents. This includes financial support, access to housing and employment opportunities, all of which supports their mental well-being and thus strengthens their ability to build their lives living independently.
The economic cost of mental health problems is vast, especially for developing nations.
SOS Children’s Villages calls for more investment in mental health programmes for vulnerable children and caregivers across South Africa. To donate and support the work of the organisation towards mental health, psycho-social support and other health initiatives, go to https://www.sossouthafrica.org.za/.
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