Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) is proud to be part of the #CrazySocks4Docs campaign in South Africa – a drive to raise awareness and give moral support to medical and health professionals battling with mental health issues by reminding them that they are not alone.
This year, the Ithemba Foundation – Ithemba means hope – the sock manufacturer Falke and pharmaceutical group Cipla have partnered to launch the #CrazySocks4Docs campaign in South Africa. The initiative was first started in Australia in 2017, to help normalise conversations about mental health, depression and anxiety amongst health professionals around the world.
As part of the local #CrazySocks4Docs campaign, Falke, the Ithemba Foundation, and Cipla has donated 12 000 pairs of high-quality, highly visible socks to medical and health sciences students around the country. On 7 June, everyone is encouraged to join the movement by wearing their colourful, silly socks and posting a photo to social media with the hashtag #CrazySocks4Docs and #ithembafoundation in a show of solidarity with all of the health professionals and students who are living with depression and having suicidal thoughts.
The mental strain on health professionals working in South Africa can be immense and it is well-documented that levels of depression and mental fatigue are particularly high among professionals who dedicate their lives to the treatment of others. In fact, a Cape Town study found that 30% of public primary healthcare doctors are living with moderate-to-severe depression.1 At the same time, it is estimated that around a third of South African medical students have suicidal thoughts and that over 6% of medical students attempt suicide.2
Keaton Quarmby, Falke SA group marketing executive, says that Falke is proud to support this initiative and help to raise awareness of the high expectations on doctors and healthcare professionals in South Africa and the impact it has on their wellbeing. “We would like to start a conversation and raise awareness and open dialogue around doctors with mental health issues, and encourage them to seek help if they need it."
She adds that Falke is committed to paying tribute to those professionals who have lost their lives as a result of enormous pressure and stress. “We encourage the whole of South Africa to support #CrazySocks4Docs happening on the 7th of June by wearing bright or mismatched socks and posting on social media with the hash tag #CrazySocks4Docs and #ithembafoundation."
“The #CrazySocks4Docs campaign is about shining a light on the highly stressful nature of the medical profession and reminding doctors and healthcare professionals that they must also ask for help when they need medical attention – whether it is physical or mental. We also want to encourage the rest of the world to help take care of those who care for them," says Paul Miller, CEO of Cipla Medpro.
“Widespread change is needed to tackle the problem of depression and suicide that is so prevalent among medical students and practising healthcare professionals. Part of making a difference is to encourage conversations about mental health and help reduce the stigma for doctors and medical students experiencing mental illness. Wearing mismatched socks may seem like a strange place to start affecting this change, but visibly showing our support for our carers is an important first step. We chose to partner with Falke and Cipla because they share these important values of starting conversations about Caring for our Carers," says Professor Lizette Rabe, founder of the Ithemba Foundation.
The Ithemba Foundation is a non-profit entity aimed at raising awareness of depression as a biological illness, and fundraising to support further research into this condition.
No matter who you are, anyone can get involved on Friday 7 June by posting a photo of yourself wearing mismatched, brightly-coloured, or just plain crazy socks, on social media with the hashtag, #CrazySocks4Docs and #ithembafoundation. Students can even win R1 000 per medical campus with their “sock-selfies" – just post your “sock-selfie" and encourage your family and friends to like yours. On each of the participating campuses the “sock-selfie" with the most likes will win its owner R1 000.
If you or someone that you know are suffering from a mental health condition, or have suicidal thoughts and are in need of help, you can call the CIPLA 24-hour mental health helpline on 0800 456 789 or WhatsApp 076 882 2775 for free counselling from a counsellor at SADAG.
References:
1. Outhoff, K. Depression in doctors : A bitter pill to swallow. South African Fam. Pract. 61, 13–16 (2019).
2. Niekerk, L. Van. Suicidal ideation and attempt among South African medical students. South African Med. J. 102, 1–5 (2019).
Caption: FMHS staff show their support for the #CrazySocks4Docs campaign by wearing colourful socks. On the photo is Meggan Ceylon, Carine Smalberger, Ronel Bester, Prof Jimmy Volmink (dean), Pearl Pretorius, Hermien Nel and Florence de Vries.
