{"id":50912,"date":"2023-02-07T06:01:21","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T04:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/make-your-mental-health-a-priority-valkenberg-trust-calling-on-friends-to-assist-with-donations-20230207\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:32:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:32:08","slug":"make-your-mental-health-a-priority-valkenberg-trust-calling-on-friends-to-assist-with-donations-20230207","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/make-your-mental-health-a-priority-valkenberg-trust-calling-on-friends-to-assist-with-donations-20230207\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Make your mental health a priority\u2019: Valkenberg Trust calling on “friends” to assist with donations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cWe have to take care of our mental health like we take care of the rest of our body.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So says Soraya Solomon, director for Friends of Valkenberg Trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Observatory-based organisation has been supporting the recovery of those admitted to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for the past 29 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Trust is the brainchild of Brian Robertson, a Professor of Psychiatry at UCT and Head of Psychiatric Services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1994, Robertson and his wife Francoise wanted to improve conditions for the patients at the hospital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following consultations with various stakeholders, the duo started the organisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today volunteers for the Trust work alongside the hospital staff to offer a range of services to support patients\u2019 recovery journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The clothing depot often runs low on clothing items.<\/div>\n
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The NPO is in desperate need of shoes for men and women. <\/div>\n
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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2019, one in every eight people or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solomon says the organisation provides programmes such as recovery groups, basic patient needs, recreational recovery and skills development among others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have a food depot; this is where we give them a food parcel to go home with. They can choose their groceries. And we also have a clothing depot, because patients who are admitted often don\u2019t have enough clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solomon explains that they often run out of clothing, especially men\u2019s clothes and shoes. She adds that, like all organisations, they rely on donations and funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need donations of pre-loved clothes, bric-a-brac, furniture, or non-perishable foods. We are always running low on men\u2019s clothes. We need sizes small to extra-large. Shoes for men and women are also scarce. Whatever clothing donations we receive we first see to the clothing depot and whatever is left, we sell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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