On the 3rd of September, Clinical Psychologist Yumna Zubi, and Psychiatrist Dr. Alicia Porter, alongside a group of other practitioners set out to channel their inner strength and willpower to take on the Tankwa Camino hiking trail. The hike, which aims to cover 27km per day for 10 days, will be completed in an effort to raise awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. The team is now on the final stretch and still going strong!
“This is a very powerful initiative and it indicates how passionate and committed this team is to help others. Mental Health is a vital need and taking steps like this and supporting Mental Health is a critical need and steps it allows us to address the stigma associated with mental health. We are so proud of the Couch Hikers and honored that they are raising funds to support SADAGs work that helps hundreds of people every day,” says Zane Wilson SADAG Founder, “The state of Mental Health has worsened greatly since the COVID-19 Pandemic – We are receiving over 2000 calls a day from people across the country from all races, ages, backgrounds, from patients who have medical aid and resources to people who are living in rural townships with no resources. The amazing support of The Couch Hikers who have raised money to help has given us the opportunity to do as much as we can and more. Thank you to all the hikers.”
The #HikeForMentalHealth trek is symbolic of how our mental health journey does not have to be one of isolation. You do not have to sit with the pain and suicidal thoughts on your own, and you do not have to walk through your path of recovery alone. ”In just 7 days, we have surpassed our initial targets and raised over R16 900 for SADAG. TOGETHER. This just shows that there are communities of people willing to provide support and walk this journey with you” says the hiking team.
To celebrate the last few days of the team’s hike, please continue donating on their BackABuddy page and sharing their social media posts via The Couch on Facebook or @the_psychology_couch on Instagram.
Your contributions are most definitely going to a good place. All proceeds that will be donated to The South African Depression and Anxiety Group will go towards assisting us in the provision of free telephonic counseling services to any South African in need. Let’s break the stigma TOGETHER!