By Jimmy Zwane | 15 October 2025
Photos by Lerato Maduna | Read time: 4 minutes
The University of Cape Town (UCT) commemorated World Mental Health Day on 10 October with a powerful call to action: mental health support must be culturally inclusive, context-aware, and accessible to all.
This message was delivered by Qaanita Rossier, a registered counsellor at UCT’s Student Wellness Service (SWS), during an address themed “Transcultural Mental Health”. Her talk formed part of a three-day wellness initiative hosted by SWS under the Department of Student Affairs.
Mental Health Through a Cultural Lens
“Our cultural backgrounds influence how we understand, express, and respond to mental health,” said Rossier. “This affects how symptoms are recognised, how diagnoses are made, and how treatment is approached.”
Given South Africa’s complex multicultural landscape, she argued that transcultural sensitivity in mental health care must not be optional. “There’s no universal solution in mental health. Our practices need to reflect the lived experiences of the people we serve,” she added.
This recognition is particularly vital in African contexts, where both the challenges and strengths of communities are deeply rooted in cultural history, language, spirituality, and social norms. To better meet these needs, SWS has launched Indigenous Health Advisory Services, aiming to integrate traditional knowledge systems with modern therapeutic approaches.
A Multi-Sensory Wellness Experience
The World Mental Health Day commemoration also featured a range of interactive and supportive activities across UCT campuses, including:
- Health, HIV, TB and mental wellness screenings
- Stress-relief sessions
- Creative expression stations for painting, crocheting, knitting, and beading
These initiatives offered students practical tools to manage academic and emotional stress, while also creating space for connection and reflection.
Breaking Stigmas, Especially for Men
Rossier also touched on the ongoing stigma surrounding men’s mental health in South Africa, describing it as a “persistent cultural hurdle.”
“Men are often taught to suppress emotional vulnerability, which delays or prevents them from seeking help. But it’s encouraging to see more inclusive care becoming the norm,” she said.
She pointed to the evolution of psychometrics, a diagnostic area in psychology, where more appropriate, locally calibrated tools are being developed to reflect South African realities.
“We’re also seeing a growing number of diverse mental health professionals that students can relate to—something that wasn’t always the case,” she added.
Practical Tools for Students: Mindfulness, Support & Self-Check-Ins
Despite cultural differences, many mental health stressors remain universal—particularly for students. Rossier cited academic pressure, homesickness, identity struggles, and financial hardship as common challenges that transcend background.
To navigate these, she encouraged students to regularly “check in” with themselves:
“Track how you’re feeling. Notice your triggers. Make sure your basic needs—sleep, nutrition, movement—are being met. That’s often where dysregulation begins.”
Other tools include mindfulness techniques, breathing exercises, creative expression, and—crucially—building a reliable support system.
Where to Find Help at UCT
The Student Wellness Service offers a wide range of support to help students thrive mentally and emotionally. Services include:
- The Ivan Toms main wellness clinic
- Upper Campus clinic
- Professional counselling and crisis support
- Pharmacy services
- Health education and outreach activities
UCT’s transcultural mental health approach affirms that mental well-being cannot be separated from cultural identity. In a country as diverse as South Africa, care must not only be professional—it must be personal, relatable, and rooted in the communities it aims to serve.
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