Mental health is a human right

10 October 2023- The right to health is a fundamental human right, also recognized 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 the society.  

For children, mental wellbeing plays a key role in their child’s 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 wellbeing 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 our villages, and over 4500 children in our Family Strengthening Programme (FSP). Our 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.

Our 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 child care 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 parents. This includes financial support, access to

housing and employment opportunities, all of which supports their mental wellbeing 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 care givers 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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About SOS Children’s Villages

SOS Children’s Villages is an independent, non-governmental organisation that advocates for the rights of South Africa’s marginalised children. We offer loving, family-like care for children and young people who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. Established in 1984, SOS has eight Children’s Villages and three Social Centres across eight provinces.

Each year our Alternative Care, Family Strengthening and Youth Employability programmes provide life-changing support to children and families across the country.

The Alternative Care model comprises of four principles that include a mother (each child has a caring parent), brothers and sisters (the family ties grow naturally), a house (a secure place to grow up in) and a village (the SOS family is part of the community).

Our Family Strengthening Programme aims to enable children who are at risk of losing the care of their families to grow within a safe family environment. We work in co-operation with local authorities and other service providers to empower families and communities to effectively protect and care for their children.

For more information, go to https://www.sossouthafrica.org.za/