Men & Mental Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community[1]. In other words mental health can be viewed as an essential constituent of health and well-being that cultivates

The Impact of Continuous Exposure to Trauma and Violence on School Learners

In 2021, CSVR embarked on a project that focuses on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), sometimes referred to as the ‘Shadow Pandemic’ in South Africa. Under this project one of our interventions has been working with young people in schools to raise awareness and provide psychoeducation on SGBV. To date we have conducted dialogues

The Imposter Syndrome Experience of a Newly Qualified Social Worker

Imposter Syndrome (IS)…many of us have probably experienced it, either consciously or unconsciously and some of us probably did not even know that what we felt was a real experience, it exists and can be felt. The Imposter Syndrome refers to an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive

Sidelined No More, Psychosocial Supports in Transitional Justice Processes

In 2021, in its capacity as a partner in the Global Initiative for Justice, Truth and Reconciliation (GIJTR), the Centre for Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) facilitated a project to better understand the experiences of forced migrants as they relate to transitional justice (TJ). As part of the project, four case studies were conducted in Syria,

Suicidality and mental health: a psychosocial lens

We live in a society where suicide is becoming increasingly common. The 10th of September was World Suicide Prevention Day which is a day aimed at promoting the worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicide. SADAG reports that there are 23 known cases of suicide in South Africa per day, and for every person that