The Keetmanshoop District State Hospital focused awareness on mental health during the commemoration of Mental Health Day. It addressed stigma and highlighted coping strategies and available support and services.

This year's theme is 'Mental health humanitarian emergencies - access to services', highlighting the importance of people being able to protect their mental health in times of global instability. 

Amber Scheepers is a social worker at Keetmanshoop District Hospital and talked on the aims of the day. 

"This gathering is about more than talk; it is about building awareness, sharing hope, and mobilising action. We want to reduce stigma, show how it is possible and strengthen our communities' capacity to support each other in good times and bad."

"We label mental health as a lot of things, but in other words, mental health is also a social issue; that is why we are seated here today. "It starts from the health; it starts from within us. That is why we are here to commemorate this day because one way or the other you are affected or affecting others," says Emily Ilukena, a senior social worker at Keetmanshoop District Hospital.

Magrietha Rikambura, a social worker also at Keetmanshoop District Hospital, had this to say. 

"Many times, community members think that they don't have a role in this; it is for the social workers. Go to the social workers; they have the knowledge, and they know what to do. It might be that you are also more educated, or you know a thing or two, or you have a technique or two to handle this person or to help this person. Let's do our part, and please meet us halfway," she urged.

Attendees of the commemoration also took part in panel discussions focusing on breaking mental health stigma and fostering support.