R700 will provide a young person with a mental disability with life skills and work skills opportunities for 6 months

Youth with mental disability are often robbed of the usual milestones to adulthood and greater independence – finishing their schooling, accessing tertiary education, getting their first job, socialising with peers, and contributing to society. Youth with pre-existing mental disorders may be especially hard hit by the potentially severe and long-term mental health consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. Your contribution to our life skills and vocational skills training programmes will create a future for our youth and ultimately a better future for our society.

“I am determined to get a job in the open labour market so that I can improve my life and that of my family. I have learnt so much already, thanks to Cape Mental Health, and have overcome so many challenges. Nothing can stop me now. “

They are challenged by discrimination and exclusion daily – and cannot build a better future getting by on a disability grant that usually has to support an entire family. The challenges that persons with mental disabilities face are a result of stigma and exclusion and vary from lack of opportunities for decent housing, healthcare, educational and recreational opportunities, employment and opportunities to earn a living wage.

It is only through life skills and vocational skills training, job creation and self-advocacy opportunities that our Training Workshops Unlimited and Fountain House (SA) programmes are able to empower more than 1 000 youth annually.

Remote interventions during lockdown have kept our service users with mental disabilities thoroughly engaged and in close contact with our staff to ensure holistic well-being and resilience. Messages, photos and video clips have testified to members’ enthusiasm in implementing a scheduled programme of arts and crafts, hygiene, physical exercises and life skills training.