As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month this October, Sisanda FunDaytion would like to shine a spotlight on the critical role of nurturing mental health within our homes and communities. Our work is built on four foundational pillars: Play, Connection, Resilience, and Active Citizenship with Connecting Through Play, serving as an invisible thread weaving together the rich tapestry of our neighbourhoods, fostering connections that celebrate inclusion, embrace diversity, and bridge generational gaps.
Research from the South African Child Gauge underscores the transformative power of play, which is essential for developing physical strength, social skills, and emotional resilience. Engaging with adults during play allows children to learn from those they trust most—their caregivers. However, South African children face significant challenges, including child-headed households, poor schooling, and a lack of safe spaces to play in many of the areas we operate in. The opportunity for play is further threatened by digital distractions and overly structured learning environments. This is where Sisanda FunDaytion steps in, fostering meaningful connections through play to cultivate resilience in children and equip them with the skills to navigate life’s adversities.
We have just embarked on our 10th Play@Home Programme. Run over several weeks, it is one of our key initiatives that serves to strengthen family dynamics, nurture resilience and address mental health starting in the home. This programme has been remarkable for empowering young people within their communities to share newly acquired socio-emotional skills for the betterment of all. It is essential to recognise that families, guardians, and caregivers often face significant financial and emotional challenges. Many are eager to forge better relationships and explore ways to create healthy family dynamics and our Play@Home Programme serves as a vital resource, equipping caregivers with the tools they need to foster positive connections within their families through the power of play.
This programme is run through positive role modelling, using play to uplift families and empower youth. Guided by our dedicated Youth Play Ambassadors who live in these communities, families engage in playful interactions that strengthen the bonds between themselves as caregivers and children in their homes, creating a supportive environment in which everyone can thrive.
All our programmes are rooted in the belief that building strong relationships with at least one other individual who acts as a positive role model, who demonstrates healthy life skills with the child’s interests at heart, is fundamental to resilience. We understand resilience not merely as surviving, but as thriving in the face of challenges. In an era where increasing numbers of youth grapple with mental health issues, we view play as a vital preventative measure.
Resilient people are more likely to use positive problem-solving techniques, which helps reduce anxiety and depression. Using a simple visual tool created from our Resilience Toolbox (a Sisanda FunDaytion / Resilience Hub collaboration), to explain our Resilience Zones, individuals gain profound insights into their emotions and reactions, allowing them to handle difficult situations without feeling overwhelmed. Building strong relationships offers vital emotional support and helps buffer against stress. Learning to reframe challenges encourages a focus on growth and optimism. Believing in one’s ability to succeed reduces feelings of hopelessness and increases motivation. Being adaptable helps individuals cope with stressors, making them better equipped to handle setbacks and lowering their risk of depression and anxiety.
Many young people enter our programme feeling shy and hesitant to share their voices. However, through our workshops, they cultivate a safe space to learn and practise essential communication skills. Going on to then help others, they ultimately transform into confident leaders and positive role models in their community, which is hugely empowering.
Annie, a Level 2 Play Ambassador who once struggled with self-expression, shares, “I’ve struggled with communicating and expressing my feelings so much, but the Play Ambassador programme forces me to get out of my shell, open up, and voice out. I’ll be forever thankful for that.”
Zintle, another dedicated Play Ambassador, reflects, “The Window of Tolerance (also known as Resilience Zones) has helped me a lot with my emotions and on how to react to situations that I cannot manage in life.”
As we continue our commitment to mental health, Sisanda FunDaytion believes that by supporting primary caregivers and emphasising the importance of play, we can significantly enhance the mental well-being of our children and communities. When children are deprived of the opportunity to play, their development can be significantly impaired, underscoring the necessity of integrating play into everyday life.
Join us this month as we celebrate the transformative power of play and the profound impact it has on mental health and positive family dynamics. Together, we can ensure that every child feels seen, valued, and empowered. #mentalhealthawareness
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