Climb Any Mountain is proud and privileged to be working in a new partnership with the Central Gauteng Mental Health Society. Our founder, Kim Danks spent a week in Johannesburg with Zac Taylor (Head of Practice at Mencap) to conduct a baseline assessment of services, conduct training on person-centred practice, and create an 18-month road-map and plan to support Central Gauteng to deliver more person-centred services. The South African Federation for Mental Health (the umbrella body for Mental Health Societies in South Africa) is working alongside Climb Any Mountain to oversee progress on the ground during this time.
The model of care in South Africa is institutional in nature. This in itself has inherent obstacles to providing quality of life outcomes for people supported. However, in addition, there have been many publicly raised concerns about the quality of services for people living with mental illness and disability and receiving services in government, NGO and private facilities in South Africa, (see The mental health scandal that rocked South Africa ). Climb Any Mountain was pleased to see that Central Gauteng has an engaged and committed senior and middle management team with a real drive to make a difference to the lives of the people they support.
During the visit, training was provided to five organisations: Central Gauteng Mental Health, North Gauteng Mental Health, Mpumalanga Mental Health, Laudium Mental Health and Talisman Foundation. Thanks to the SA Federation for Mental Health for hosting and generously providing their conference facilities.
