The South African Institute of Child and Adolescent Mental Health

The South African Institute of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Inspiring brighter futures through education, mental health care, training and advocacy. Make an online donation by clicking here.

We are a team of counselors who are dedicated to walking the long road of recovery with our adolescents who are suffering from addiction disorders. These disorders are mentally and physically devastating, often leaving children and their families feeling alone and hopeless. With a little help from you we can give these families hope and above all we can walk this path together with them so that they may never have to face addiction alone again. Donate in kind-if you can offer your time, expertise or printing services kindly email us at [email protected]
Fundraise for us! Yes, absolutely anyone can do it! See the "Create your Fundraising Page" link above or click here to quickly get set up as an activist and raise funds for this cause in a fun and simple way. By contributing in any way to this cause you are choosing to take a child's hand and walk with him down the road of recovery. On behalf of our recovering children and families we thank you.

🌱 Future Ready Skills Programme | Day 2Day 2 of our Future Ready Skills Programme at Strand Secondary brought more oppor...
22/09/2026

🌱 Future Ready Skills Programme | Day 2

Day 2 of our Future Ready Skills Programme at Strand Secondary brought more opportunities for learners to connect, think, share and learn from one another.

The day focused on diversity, stereotypes, problem-solving, teamwork, conflict resolution and wellness. Through activities like Charades, In and Out the Circle and Say It Without It, learners were encouraged to express themselves, listen to one another, challenge assumptions, think creatively and work together.

We also had some fun with our affirmation song, which brought plenty of energy into the room and created space for learners to encourage and uplift one another.

One of the highlights of the day was our certificate ceremony. It was beautiful to see learners celebrating one another, with the room filled with cheers and encouragement as each person received their certificate. There was something really special about seeing the group celebrate each other’s achievements.

Thank you to Strand Secondary for welcoming us, and to our interns for creating such engaging spaces for learning, connection and growth. 💛

Another meaningful day of learning, laughter and growing together.

🌱 Future Ready Skills Programme | Day 1We kicked off Day 1 of our Future Ready Skills Programme at Strand Secondary with...
21/09/2026

🌱 Future Ready Skills Programme | Day 1

We kicked off Day 1 of our Future Ready Skills Programme at Strand Secondary with plenty of laughter, energy and opportunities to connect.

The day focused on building skills that learners can use in their everyday lives, including communication, teamwork, confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, leadership and positive relationships.

Through activities like Broken Telephone, Simon Says, Grab and Sing, Charades, Two Truths and a Lie and The Floor Is Lava, learners had fun while exploring how we listen, communicate, work together, think creatively and express ourselves with confidence.

We also opened up conversations around self-awareness, personal hygiene, stress management and self-esteem. What stood out was how naturally the activities led into open conversations, with learners sharing their thoughts, experiences and plenty of laughs along the way.

A great first day of connecting, learning and getting comfortable with one another. 💛

✨ Opening Doors. Expanding Horizons. Inspiring Futures. ✨Sometimes, changing a young person’s future begins with somethi...
18/09/2026

✨ Opening Doors. Expanding Horizons. Inspiring Futures. ✨

Sometimes, changing a young person’s future begins with something as simple — and as powerful — as showing them what is possible.

As part of their Macro Social Work project, UWC students Busisiwe Ngema and Mbali Mhlongo took that idea to heart at Northpine Technical High School, where they organised an inspiring Career Expo that brought together learners from multiple grades.

Hundreds of young people had the opportunity to step beyond the familiar and explore the many different paths that could lie ahead of them. 🎓💼🌍

A career is not always something a young person can imagine until they have seen it, heard about it, met someone doing it, or discovered that the opportunity even exists. This event created that space — a space to ask questions, discover new possibilities and begin thinking beyond the boundaries of what they already know.

For Busisiwe and Mbali, this was more than an assignment. It was community engagement with purpose: exposing young people to opportunities, broadening their horizons and helping them begin to connect education with the futures they can build for themselves. 🌱

And what makes this project particularly special is its reach. Multiple grades. Hundreds of learners. One shared message: your future has possibilities.

👏🏽 Well done, Busisiwe and Mbali! Your initiative demonstrates the powerful role Social Work students can play in creating opportunities, connecting communities and helping young people see beyond the present.

Sometimes the first step toward a different future is simply discovering that there are more futures to choose from. 💚

🌱 Social Work in Action: Building Life Skills, Building FuturesWhat happens when Social Work students take learning beyo...
18/09/2026

🌱 Social Work in Action: Building Life Skills, Building Futures

What happens when Social Work students take learning beyond the classroom and into the community? Meaningful connections, shared learning and young people being given space to think about their futures. 💛

As part of their Macro Social Work project, third-year UWC Social Work students Azama Maketa and Thimna Majola brought their knowledge, energy and commitment to Scottsdene Secondary School, where they facilitated a school-based Life Skills Programme and workshop for approximately 90 learners.

Through this initiative, the students created an opportunity for learners to engage with practical life skills, reflect on themselves and their futures, and learn in an environment that encouraged participation and connection.

For Azama and Thimna, this was more than an academic project. It was an opportunity to put Social Work values into practice - working with communities, recognising strengths, creating opportunities and investing in young people's potential. 🌿

A beautiful reminder that Social Work is not only about responding to challenges; it is also about prevention, empowerment, education and creating spaces where people can grow.

👏🏽 Well done, Azama and Thimna, on taking your learning into the community and making a meaningful contribution at Scottsdene Secondary School.

This is Social Work in action. This is learning with purpose. This is community. 💚

🌸 Hope Floats | Dr. G. J. Joubert Primary SchoolThe emotional load of teaching is not always visible. Educators give so ...
16/09/2026

🌸 Hope Floats | Dr. G. J. Joubert Primary School

The emotional load of teaching is not always visible. Educators give so much of themselves each day — supporting learners, carrying their stories, navigating stress and, often, holding space for experiences that are difficult to carry home.

Our Hope Floats session at Dr. G. J. Joubert Primary School created space to pause, breathe and acknowledge some of that load. We explored burnout, introduced a few DBT skills, reflected on the impact of social media, and spoke about self-care — not as something that needs to be perfect, but as small, consistent and sustainable choices we can make for ourselves.

But perhaps the most important reminder of the day was that we don’t always need to fix, advise or have the right answer. Sometimes, we simply need to be there. To listen. To witness one another’s experiences.

We encouraged educators to take what is useful from the session and leave what isn’t. Not everything has to fit, and that’s okay.

We ended the day with Hope Floats — placing stones into water to represent the hardships and burdens we carry, and flowers to represent hope. As the activity unfolded, there were moments of laughter, reflection and even tears in the room. Real emotions surfaced as educators gave words to some of the things they carry.

The flowers don’t make the stones disappear. The stones are still there. But they settle, the water continues to flow, and the flowers remain afloat.

Perhaps that is what hope can look like sometimes: not the absence of hardship, but the presence of something that helps us keep going despite it. 🌸

Thank you to the educators at Dr. G. J. Joubert Primary School for showing up with openness, honesty and willingness to share.

And a heartfelt thank you to Trim Tab Foundation for sponsoring this event and helping us create spaces where educators can pause, reflect and simply be witnessed.

🌟 Youth Leadership Programme | Day 2 🌟Day 2 of our Youth Leadership Programme was another fun, energetic and meaningful ...
15/09/2026

🌟 Youth Leadership Programme | Day 2 🌟

Day 2 of our Youth Leadership Programme was another fun, energetic and meaningful day with our Grade 6 learners at Dr GJ Joubert Primary School! 💛

We started the day with some energising icebreakers to get everyone moving, laughing and ready for another day of learning together.

Our learners explored stereotypes, kindness and inclusion, looking at what stereotypes are, how they can affect the way we see others, and what it means to treat people fairly and with kindness. The learners openly shared their own thoughts and examples, leading to some meaningful group discussions.

We also focused on problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution, encouraging learners to think about different perspectives, communicate with one another and work together to find positive solutions.

Of course, there was plenty of fun along the way! 🎉 The learners took part in games including The Imposter, Musical Chairs, Charades and Red Light, Green Light. There was lots of laughter, enthusiasm and teamwork, with the activities creating opportunities for learners to communicate, participate and build connections with one another.

One of the most meaningful parts of the programme was seeing learners feel comfortable enough to express themselves, share their ideas and be themselves in a space where they felt heard and accepted. 🌱

Day 2 was a wonderful combination of learning, laughter, teamwork, kindness and connection.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr GJ Joubert Primary School for welcoming us and giving us the opportunity to spend these two special days with your Grade 6 learners. 💛

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Trim Tab Foundation for supporting the Youth Leadership Programme and helping us create meaningful learning opportunities for young people. Your support makes these experiences possible. 🌱

And, of course, a big thank you to our wonderful interns for helping to create such a positive, supportive and fun environment for the learners.

🌟 Youth Leadership Programme | Day 1 🌟We had such a wonderful start to our Youth Leadership Programme with our Grade 6 l...
14/09/2026

🌟 Youth Leadership Programme | Day 1 🌟

We had such a wonderful start to our Youth Leadership Programme with our Grade 6 learners! 💛

We began the morning by getting creative and making our own name tags using glitter, colourful pens and lots of imagination. ✨ This gave everyone a chance to introduce themselves, share a little about who they are and what they enjoy, and start getting to know one another in a relaxed and welcoming way.

The morning continued with fun icebreakers and games, including Move If, The Floor Is Lava, Simon Says, the Telephone Game and Toss Me Some Kindness. There was plenty of laughter and enthusiasm, while the activities also encouraged listening, teamwork, kindness and positive interaction.

Throughout the day, we explored important topics including communication and active listening, self-esteem and emotional intelligence, managing stress, time management, SMART goal setting and personal hygiene.

Our learners were actively involved in the discussions and activities and were encouraged to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas. It was wonderful to see them becoming more comfortable, engaging with one another and confidently contributing to the conversations.

We wrapped up the day by looking at SMART goals, helping learners think about goals that are meaningful and achievable for themselves.

Day 1 was filled with creativity, laughter, learning, teamwork and new connections. 🌱 We are so proud of the enthusiasm our learners brought to the day and can't wait to continue the journey with them on Day 2!

Hope Floats 🌿Today at Strand Secondary, we held space for conversations that matter, exploring burnout, social media, DB...
09/09/2026

Hope Floats 🌿

Today at Strand Secondary, we held space for conversations that matter, exploring burnout, social media, DBT skills, and the many ways we navigate difficult moments in both our personal and professional lives.

What made the day so meaningful was the willingness of the educators to show up with openness and honesty, to share, to listen, to reflect, and to have some of the conversations we don’t always make enough room for. 🤍

At the heart of the session was a simple but powerful reminder: “No fixing, no advice giving. We listen and witness.” 🌱

And sometimes, that is exactly what we need. A safe space to pause, breathe, be heard, and simply be.

Thank you for your courage, your heart, and the incredible work you do each day for the future of South Africa. 🪷✨

A heartfelt thank you to TrimTab Foundation for making this session possible through your generous funding and support. 🌸

Here’s to creating more spaces where we can pause, connect, listen, and remind one another that we don’t have to carry everything alone. 🌊🤍

🌱 The Power of a Pilot.Today at Helderberg Sunrise Rotary Club, our CEO, Alison Crosbie, veteran psychologist and nearly...
08/09/2026

🌱 The Power of a Pilot.

Today at Helderberg Sunrise Rotary Club, our CEO, Alison Crosbie, veteran psychologist and nearly 20 year leader in the NGO sector, shared a story that goes far beyond a single project.

It is the story of how one pilot can change the trajectory of an organisation, and ultimately, the lives of thousands of people it reaches. 🌍

Over the past decade, from 2016 to 2026, a series of carefully supported pilot projects in South African schools 🏫 have allowed us to ask the questions that matter:

Does it work? What can we learn? What needs to change? And, most importantly, can it be scaled?

But a pilot needs more than a good idea.

It needs a partner willing to believe in the possibility before there is proof. 🤝

That is where Rotary has been so powerful.

Through collaboration with Rotary, both locally and internationally 🌍, we have had the opportunity to test, learn, refine and grow. Rotary’s trust in our organisation and its willingness to invest in innovation has helped turn promising ideas into approaches that can reach more schools, more children and more communities. 💙

And that matters.

Because in low income communities, where the need for mental health support and sustainable, healthy school environments is immense, piloting is not simply about testing a programme. It is about finding what works, learning from it, and creating a pathway to lasting impact. 🌱🏫

The power of a pilot is the power to begin small, learn deeply, and build something that can change much more.

And the power of partnership is having someone beside you who is willing to say:

“Let’s try.” 🤝

Here’s to the pilots that started something bigger.
To the partners who believed in them.
And to the schools, children and communities whose futures are being changed because they did. 🌍💙

The power of a pilot.
The power of partnership.
The power to change what’s possible. ✨

🌟 Last Day of UPC Training! 🌟Today marked the final day of our UPC training, and what a meaningful journey it has been! ...
04/09/2026

🌟 Last Day of UPC Training! 🌟

Today marked the final day of our UPC training, and what a meaningful journey it has been! 🙌

The day was centred around reflection — looking back at what we have learned throughout the training and, most importantly, asking ourselves: How are we putting this knowledge into practice?

We reflected on how we can use the information and skills gained this year to strengthen our work, share what we have learned with our communities, and contribute towards building better, stronger and more empowered communities. 🤝🏽🌍

It was also a wonderful opportunity to connect, share experiences and network with other organisations. There was plenty of learning, laughter and great conversations along the way! 😊

We leave the training inspired, equipped and ready to turn knowledge into action. Together, we can make a difference in our communities! 💪🏽✨

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Glen Eagles, Somerset Links
Somerset West

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Monday 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
Friday 07:30 - 15:30

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