HopeSA Winter Warmth Drive
Hope SA Foundation is a registered non-profit and non-governmental organisation (NGO), thatis trusted by South African's nationwide. Hope SA is strongly rooted in empowering, feeding,and giving hope to people. They strive to provide basic human needs to all, especially under-developed communities, and to transform lives in South Africa. A core focus of Hope SA is toalleviate poverty and to increase participation of communities in sustaining and preserving theearth's biological assets, in support of the economy. Hope SA Foundation is guided by the ActNow Campaign and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. This foundation coordinatesmany projects that significantly help communities all over the country. These programs focuson providing healthcare, basic needs, education and skills training.
In winter 2023, The Couch collaborated with Hope SA in the coordination of a warmth drive tokeep children, the elderly and homeless warm. We collected items such as soups, blankets,jackets and beanies to provide much needed warmth to our community. Thank you to everyonethat made contact with us regarding this initiative, and for all of the donations. They weredistributed to various communities.
Mental Health Matters
In 2021, our team of Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Admin staff & Volunteer Group launched a new initiative in collaboration with The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) called #MentalHealthMatters in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
The Couch, a psychology and psychiatry practice in Gauteng, aims to create awareness about the importance of mental health and in doing so hopes to break the stigma around Mental illness.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group shares the same goal and has been successful at assisting thousands of those in need through the accessibility of their toll-free helplines and support groups.
We wanted to lend a helping hand toward this cause and our Couch Community did too:
#HikeForMentalHealth
"INNER STRENGTH AND A STRONG MIND WILL KEEP YOU ON TRACK,BUT "YOUR EMOTIONS NEED TO BE AS EDUCATED AS YOUR INTELLECT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW TO FEEL, HOW TO RESPOND, AND HOW TO LET LIFE IN... SO THAT IT CAN TOUCH YOU"
Clinical Psychologist Yumna Zubi and Psychiatrist Dr. Alicia Porter alongside a group of other practitioners, channeled their inner strength and strong minds to take on the Tankwa Camino hiking trail (276km over 10 days) in an effort to raise awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
Our Couch Community got involved by in our initiative by sharing our psychoeducational social media posts with your friends and family or anyone they thought would like to get involved.
A total of R21 600 was raised for mental health and suicide prevention. All proceeds went to the non-profit organisation SADAG.