Latest news with #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Amid a mental health crisis, every single one of us in SA is responsible for our young people
It is my opinion that South Africa is going through a mental health depression as a result of our state institutional failures and our runaway inequality, which is causing poverty and in turn fuels violence and inevitably crime. In fact, the Mental State of the World in 2023 report, having surveyed 71 countries, placed South Africa among the bottom three countries along with Uzbekistan and the UK in respect of mental wellbeing. The report went on to highlight that people under 35 had the biggest drop in wellbeing. Interestingly, some of the factors named as contributing to the decline in mental health are the introduction of smartphones at a young age, the consumption of ultra-processed foods and weakened connections with family and friends. Youth Day, celebrated on 16 June, often makes me wonder how genuine our commitment to investing in our young people is. Can we really claim to be harnessing the human potential they represent with due care when a lack of educational reform, social stability and employment opportunities are creating a mental health crisis that has been flagged for years? The youth of 1976, who are now in their fifties and sixties, have had to navigate post-traumatic stress disorder from the violence of the time, and also from the disillusionment of present-day South Africa. Coming out of Child Protection Week, during which violence against children was highlighted by both statistics and stories of how this violence takes hold and is perpetuated, the urgency for intervention has never been clearer. There have been many calls for young people to be centred more in policymaking, yet 45% of them are still not employed, nor are they in educational or training institutions. Afrika Tikkun, a youth development civil society organisation, has found through its youth intervention programmes that prolonged unemployment is leading to rising cases of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancies and even suicidal ideation among young people. During Mental Health Awareness Week last month, Sello Moloi, Afrika Tikkun's delivery lead for work readiness, said: 'The government can play a leading role by expanding access to mental health services at community level and by embedding mental health education into schools. 'Corporates should take bold steps to invest in youth development, not only through job creation, but also by funding holistic support services, including mental health. Internships and learnerships should include structured psychosocial support, mentorship and safe spaces for reflection and wellbeing.' This integrated approach acknowledges that responsibility for our young people belongs to us all. The best marker of 16 June this year and into the future can only be to earnestly take action in respect of the many solutions that have been proposed by various organisations based on existing empirical data. The evidence is here. We come face-to-face with it daily as both disenchanted and still hopeful young people do the best they can to survive in circumstances in which even we as adults are struggling. DM
The Herald Scotland
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Neil Gray faces fresh questions over 'limogate' row
The journeys, logged in the official ministerial register as trips to and from a 'personal address, Aberdeen' were amended after a newspaper investigation showed no evidence of such an address could be found. The Scottish Government insisted there had been an 'administration error', while officials said Mr Gray has no home address in Aberdeen. READ MORE: Police Scotland send 80 officers to Northern Ireland as riots spread SNP ministers reject proposal for major tax rise on second homes in tourist hotspots Starmer calls for de-escalation after Israel attacks Iran in overnight strikes Pioneering scientist and first black Scottish professor dies aged 85 But critics have now accused Mr Gray of misleading parliament for a second time over the issue. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: 'Neil Gray has serious questions to answer because it appears that he misled parliament.' The row over Mr Gray's use of taxpayer-funded limousines broke out last year after it emerged he had been chauffeured to and from nine football matches involving his teams Aberdeen FC or Scotland between 2022 and 2024. In November, Mr Gray apologised to parliament for giving 'the impression of acting more as a fan and less as a minister' but reassured MSPs that the matches were not junkets and that officials had made a record of business meetings at the matches. In January, he was forced to address the issue again - and admit he had misled parliament - after it was revealed there was no such written record of discussions he was involved in when he attended the 2023 Scottish League Cup Final between Aberdeen, and Rangers. Now, a report in the Mail said his use of a government car to attend a pub trip was incorrectly logged as a trip home. On May 15, 2024, Mr Gray was invited by Aberdeen FC Community Trust to take part in a number of Mental Health Awareness Week events and after his meetings, the official Scottish Government record showed he was taken to a 'personal address' in Aberdeen, the newspaper reported. Yet when this claim was investigated, there was no evidence of Mr Gray having a home in the region. When questioned over the matter, Mr Gray's communications' aides said he was not returning to a home address in Aberdeen but was instead attending a 'personal engagement' at a 'restaurant'. A source said Mr Gray went to the Brig O'Don, which describes itself as a 'pub restaurant', and which is located fewer than two miles from the Pittodrie football stadium. The insider confirmed Mr Gray picked up his own bill at the pub. He was then taken by the government car to the match. Approached for comment this week Mr Gray's second clarification of his use of the Government Car Service (GCS) in parliament - the official record was changed. A Scottish Government spokesman said: "This is an administration error. Mr Gray travelled from government business to a restaurant for a personal engagement before returning to government business." Scottish Tory Rachael Hamilton said the 'inaccuracy was hard to fathom'. She added: "He needs to explain why he and his team originally claimed that his ministerial limo took him to a home address rather than to a restaurant for socialising. "Given the scandal the misuse of his government car caused, the health secretary ought to have double checked every journey to make sure that his account was factually correct, so this inaccuracy is hard to fathom." Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said 'The decision to take a taxpayer-funded car to the pub is questionable enough – but the fact it was hidden from the public reeks of a cover-up. 'Neil Gray must come clean about exactly what happened here and explain why exactly this trip to the pub was legitimate government business.' Mr Gray has also come under fire for taking a ministerial car to the opening night of the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August, with his wife Karlie. First Minister John Swinney said it related to his health brief because the film touched upon addiction. A Scottish Government spokesman said the pub trip was 'in line with the rules around Government Car Service GCS use.'
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
SNP minister Neil Gray in fresh 'Limogate' scandal after being chauffeured to pub before Aberdeen game
Gray was driven in a taxpayer-funded limo to the Brig O'Don pub in Aberdeen before travelling to Pittodrie for a game against Livingston. A senior SNP Government figure has been dragged into a fresh row over his use of official cars after he was chauffeured to a pub ahead of a football match. Health Secretary Neil Gray was forced to make a statement to Parliament last year after it was revealed he was driven to several games in a taxpayer-funded vehicle involving his beloved Aberdeen. The Scottish Government subsequently introduced rules cracking down on ministerial limos being used to give lifts to family members or friends of politicians unless it was "clearly in the public interest" or on an "exceptional basis". But it has now been revealed Gray was driven to the Brig O'Don bar in Aberdeen before travelling to Pittodrie for a game against Livingston in May last year. The journeys, logged in the official ministerial register as trips to and from a "personal address, Aberdeen" were only amended after an investigation by the Mail showed no evidence of such an address could be found. The Scottish Government claimed there had been an "administration error" - but officials admitted Gray has no home address in the Granite City. Opposition parties have now accused the Health Secretary of misleading parliament for a second time over the issue. Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour deputy leader, said: "The decision to take a taxpayer-funded car to the pub is questionable enough – but the fact it was hidden from the public reeks of a cover-up.'Neil Gray must come clean about exactly what happened here and explain why exactly this trip to the pub was legitimate government business." The ministerial record stated Gray was invited by Aberdeen FC Community Trust to take part in a number of Mental Health Awareness Week events last May. After his meetings, the official Government record showed he was taken to a "personal address" in Aberdeen. But SNP insiders subsequently told the Mail the Health Secretary was not in fact returning to a home address in Aberdeen but was instead attending a "personal engagement" at a "restaurant". It was revealed to be the Brig O'Don venue, which describes itself as a "pub-restaurant", which lies two miles from Pittodrie Stadium. Gray settled the bill out of his own pocket before he was driven to the Aberdeen game. A Scottish Government spokesman said: "This is an administration error. Mr Gray travelled from government business to a restaurant for a personal engagement before returning to government business." They added the pub trip was "in line with the rules around Government Car Service use". Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton said the "inaccuracy was hard to fathom". She added: "He needs to explain why he and his team originally claimed that his ministerial limo took him to a home address rather than to a restaurant for socialising. "Given the scandal the misuse of his government car caused, the health secretary ought to have double checked every journey to make sure that his account was factually correct, so this inaccuracy is hard to fathom."
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Local charity completes 18-mile fundraising walk from Kilmarnock to Ardrossan
CHAP staff, board members and members of the public took part in the Killie 2 Coast fundraiser to raise vital funds for the charity. Staff and trustees from CHAP completed an 18-mile walk from Kilmarnock to Ardrossan, raising over £2,500 in essential funds to support the delivery of their vital housing, welfare, and money advice services across Ayrshire. The Killie 2 Coast walk took place as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. The event highlighted the importance of mental wellbeing and of encouraging people to reach out for help and support when facing financial challenges. The event brought together staff, board members, and members of the public who had signed up to participate in the challenge. Setting off from CHAP's outreach hub at CentreStage in Kilmarnock, the walkers followed a scenic route to finish at the organisation's main office in Princes Street, Ardrossan, all in the soaring temperatures of the recent heatwave. Debbie Alexander, CHAP's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We were very fortunate with the weather – although a few degrees cooler would have been welcome at times! "Killie 2 Coast was our first fundraising walk and we've been delighted with the response. We're incredibly proud of everyone who took part – from our dedicated staff and board members to the members of the public who chose to take on the challenge alongside us. "All donations will go directly towards supporting our frontline advice services at a time when demand for them is higher than ever." The money raised will support CHAP's work across North and East Ayrshire, providing free support on housing and homelessness, welfare rights, money and debt advice. CHAP has been overwhelmed by the generosity shown by supporters in the lead-up to and during the walk. The team has been touched by the kind donations, messages of encouragement, and local enthusiasm for the event. Debbie added: "We can't thank everyone enough - from those who joined us on the walk, and all who donated, to the local businesses who helped us out. We really appreciate all the support we've received for the K2C walk." The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of a number of local businesses who sponsored or donated essential supplies, and community groups offering the use of their facilities to walkers along the route. CHAP would like to extend sincere thanks to the following: Active Office Group, ASDA Ardrossan, Ardeer Community Centre, Barry Devlin Services, Brownings the Bakers, Card Factory Saltcoats, CS Recovery Ltd, Dreghorn Library, Kilwinning Community Sports Club, Tesco Extra Kilmarnock and The Working Wardrobe. If you would like to support CHAP, donations remain open and can be made through JustGiving page here. To access CHAP services, please call Freephone on 030 0002 0002 or visit their website.
Leader Live
27-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Specsavers' employee ran for North East Wales Mind
Dispensing optician at Specsavers Flint, Dawn Dale raised £650 for North East Wales Mind after completing the recent Chester Half Marathon. Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week (Mat 12-18), the 13-mile run took Dawn one hour and 52 minutes, raising vital funds for the charity, which supports people living with mental health challenges across Flintshire and Wrexham. Out of 189 runners in the over-50's category, Dawn placed 14th. Read more: North Wales riding centre 'overwhelmed' as pledge saves them from closure Colleagues at Specsavers Flint were there to cheer Dawn on along the route and supported her fundraising efforts in the lead-up to the race day. A store bake sale raised more than £260, helping her surpass her fundraising target of £500 weeks ahead of the event. Having faced her own mental health challenges, Dawn says running has played a big part in her journey towards recovery following a particularly difficult period during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more: Flint store to launch a new concept in pre-loved fashion She said: "Running became a real turning point for me. It's something that helps me feel grounded and gives me a sense of purpose. Taking on this half marathon felt like a way to give something back and to raise awareness that support is out there for anyone who's struggling." Specsavers Flint's retail director, Holly Roberts, added: "We're all incredibly proud of Dawn, both for the physical feat of completing the marathon and for her courage in sharing her story. "She's inspired our whole team and brought the store together for a cause that affects so many. We're grateful to everyone in the community who donated or came by the store to support her."
