The Teddy Bear Clinic Joins SADAG at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. On October 31st, as World Mental Health Month drew to a powerful close, the Teddy Bear Clinic Foundation team laced up our shoes and marched proudly alongside the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto. This wasn’t just a walk it was a bold statement: mental health matters, and early intervention saves lives. Chris Hani Baragwanath isn’t just the largest hospital in the southern hemisphere; it’s home to one of Gauteng’s biggest psychiatric wards. Standing there, surrounded by advocates, survivors, healthcare workers, and community champions, we felt the weight of the moment. We marched to break the silence, to dismantle stigma, and to demand more resources for mental health care across South Africa. And we didn’t march alone.
Where Child Protection Meets Mental Wellness
At the Teddy Bear Clinic Foundation, our mandate is clear: to protect abused and neglected children while providing the holistic support they need to heal and thrive. We see the invisible scars of trauma every day children who’ve survived abuse, neglect, or exploitation don’t just need safety; they need healing. That’s why our core services include specialized trauma counseling, play therapy, and long-term emotional support to help young hearts rebuild. Our Diversion Programme stands as a cornerstone of this mandate, using restorative justice to redirect young lives away from the criminal justice system and toward rehabilitation. By intervening early, our therapists work tirelessly to prevent short-term pain from becoming lifelong mental health battles. This approach isn’t just about justice, it’s about breaking cycles of trauma that can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. This march with SADAG wasn’t just solidarity; it was perfect alignment with our foundation’s mission. Child protection and mental wellness are inextricably linked. Trauma in childhood doesn’t vanish with physical safety; it lingers in the mind and body, manifesting as anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues if left unaddressed. By standing together at Bara, we bridged these worlds, amplifying the message that protecting children means investing in their mental health from day one.
The Momentum Must Continue
One march doesn’t change a nation, but it starts the conversation, and keeps it going. Events like this highlight the urgent need for integrated services: child protection agencies working hand-in-hand with mental health organizations to create a safety net for vulnerable kids. At Teddy Bear Clinic, we’re committed to this integration every day. Our play therapy rooms echo with stories of resilience, our diversion sessions rebuild futures, and our counseling programs turn survivors into thrivers. This collaboration with SADAG reinforces our mandate to go beyond immediate crisis response. It’s a call to action for more funding, better training for frontline workers, and community-wide awareness that mental health support for children is non-negotiable. Early intervention isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline that prevents small cracks from becoming chasms. As we reflect on that powerful day in Soweto, let’s carry the momentum forward. Support organizations like Teddy Bear Clinic and SADAG. Advocate for policies that prioritize child mental health. And remember: every step we take together protects a child’s tomorrow.
