The South African Institute of Child and Adolescent Mental Health

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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.

A picnic filled with laughter, connection and a little bit of singing! 🌿🎶On Friday, 16 October, we had a wonderful picni...
19/10/2026

A picnic filled with laughter, connection and a little bit of singing! 🌿🎶

On Friday, 16 October, we had a wonderful picnic as we said farewell to our third- and fourth-year social work students from the University of the Western Cape and Stellenbosch University.

From playing games and enjoying a round of Grab and Sing to sharing plenty of laughter and discovering some hidden singing talents, it was a day filled with good energy and meaningful connections.

For some of us, it was the first time meeting one another, which made the opportunity to connect, build relationships and share in that sense of camaraderie even more special.

A lovely reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a little time together, a few games and lots of laughter to bring people closer. ❤️

To our students, thank you for being part of the journey. We wish you all the best in the next chapter!

Your Voice, Your Choice — Empowering Grade 11 Girls Strand Sekondêr - Official 💜On the 8th of October 2026, we had the p...
15/10/2026

Your Voice, Your Choice — Empowering Grade 11 Girls Strand Sekondêr - Official 💜

On the 8th of October 2026, we had the privilege of hosting our community project at Strand Secondary School under the theme "Your Voice, Your Choice."

The programme, facilitated by social work students from Stellenbosch University, focused on s*xual education and empowerment for 18 Grade 11 girls.

We kicked off with an introduction by Michay Donson, followed by an engaging ice-breaker by Miss Chiné Crouch (Project Manager, SAI-CAMH) who played a thought-provoking game of "Fact or Fiction" around s*xual health. Michay then led a second ice-breaker where learners found their "tribe" by matching animal sounds — a fun way to divide them into groups!

Our colleague, Tshireletso Dione, led the empowerment session focusing on boundaries, peer pressure and making informed decisions.

We were honoured to host two guest speakers from Gordon's Bay Clinic — Nurse Unathi (Gordon's Bay Clinic) who thoroughly explained contraception, self-testing and youth-friendly services available at clinics, and Counsellor Lwando (Gordon's Bay Clinic) who, together with the nurse, answered questions from the learners.

Michay concluded with a session on s*xual risks including STIs, protection, and the importance of seeking accurate information from trusted professionals rather than relying on media or peers.

One of the learners, Chelsea Vermeulen, shared that the media can be very misleading and that there is a lack of information, and therefore it is important to have more programmes like this to guide young people in understanding the choices they make in life.

> "We do not stop the youth from having s*x by being silent, we merely make them unprepared for the day that they do decide to have s*x." — Michay Donson

The learners were inquisitive, engaged and brave in sharing their opinions and experiences. Although time did not allow all groups to complete their posters, two learners proudly completed theirs to submit.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Nurse Unathi (Gordon's Bay Clinic), Counsellor Lwando (Gordon's Bay Clinic), Miss Chiné Crouch (SAI-CAMH), CEO Alison Crosbie (SAI-CAMH), Principal Terhoeven and Mr. Smith from Strand Secondary School. Thank you for your guidance, for providing the space and most importantly for your time and effort in making this project a success.

We thanked all members and guests and ended the day by giving the learners some snacks and muffins with an educational and empowering message to carry with them.

💚 Know Your Support Systems: Connecting Learners to Help, Hope and Support 🌱Sometimes, one of the most important things ...
15/10/2026

💚 Know Your Support Systems: Connecting Learners to Help, Hope and Support 🌱

Sometimes, one of the most important things we can do for a young person is to remind them that they don't have to navigate life's challenges alone — and that asking for help is a sign of strength.

As part of their third-year placement through the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and SAI-CAMH, two dedicated Social Work students, Aviwe and Zukisani, took this message to learners at Macassar High School through their community project, Know Your Support Systems.

The project focused on helping learners understand where they can turn when they need assistance, who they can approach for support, and what resources are available to them both within the school and in the wider community. 🌿

Knowing that support exists is important. Knowing where to find it, whom to approach and how to reach out can make all the difference when a young person is facing a difficult situation.

Through this initiative, Aviwe and Zukisani helped raise awareness of the support networks available to learners while highlighting the importance of speaking up, seeking guidance and connecting with appropriate resources when challenges arise.

Their experience also reflects an essential part of becoming a social worker: understanding that our role is not only to recognise people's needs, but also to help bridge the gap between individuals and the support available to them.

A heartfelt congratulations to Aviwe and Zukisani on completing their community project! Your commitment to learner well-being and your efforts to strengthen awareness of support systems reflect the values at the heart of Social Work.

Because sometimes, making a difference begins with helping someone realise that they have somewhere to turn, someone to talk to and support they can access. 💚

Know your support systems. Reach out when you need help. Remember, you do not have to face everything alone.

🌱 Creating Awareness. Empowering Young People. Supporting Informed Choices. 💚Sometimes, meaningful community work begins...
10/10/2026

🌱 Creating Awareness. Empowering Young People. Supporting Informed Choices. 💚

Sometimes, meaningful community work begins with listening — identifying a challenge within a community and taking steps to address it through education, awareness and collaboration.

As part of their community work, Zizile and Yolanda, Social Work students from Stellenbosch University, identified teenage pregnancy as a concern during the collection of information for their community profile. Recognising the need for awareness and education, they developed a project focused on understanding teenage pregnancy, its risk factors and the protective factors that can help prevent it.

The awareness initiative brought together 12 action committee members and 35 learners, creating a space for discussion, participation and shared learning. 🌿

Rather than simply presenting information, the students encouraged learners to engage with questions, exchange ideas and present their responses. The session also included a presentation by Zizile and Yolanda, alongside Mr Zililo, a Life Orientation (LO) teacher at the school, who joined the initiative as a guest speaker.

This collaborative approach highlights the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces where young people can access information, ask questions and make informed decisions about their health, relationships and futures.

Teenage pregnancy awareness is not about judgement or stigma. It is about knowledge, prevention, access to support and empowering young people with the information they need to navigate life's challenges.

👏🏽 Well done, Zizile and Yolanda! Your initiative demonstrates how community profiling can translate into meaningful action, and how Social Work students can contribute to awareness, prevention and youth empowerment.

A special thank you to Mr Zililo, the action committee members and all the learners who participated and contributed to the discussions.

💚 When we listen to communities, we identify needs. When we work together, we create opportunities for change.

🌱 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.

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Glen Eagles, Somerset Links
Somerset West

Opening Hours

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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+27605092098

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