mental health issues - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Sydney knife attacker had mental health issues, ideology not motive, police say

THE man who fatally stabbed six people in Sydney had mental health issues in the past and there is no indication ideology was a motive in the attack in one of the city's busiest shopping centres, police said. The attacker, identified by police as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, was known to police in the neighbouring state of Queensland, and police have spoken to his family after Saturday's attack, according to police from New South Wales and Queensland states. Cauchi's family recognised him and contacted police on Saturday after seeing news reports of the killings. "The family, when they viewed footage of…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa omit Foster due to mental health issues

FOOTBALL

SOUTH Africa omitted striker Lyle Foster from their squad for their opening two World Cup qualifiers this month, a day after his club Burnley said he was struggling with mental problems. Foster's participation in January’s African Cup of Nations finals is now in doubt, even if South Africa coach Hugo Broos said on Friday he hoped to see the 23-year-old back in action soon. "I made contact with the Burnley coach (Vincent Kompany), who I know very well, and also the medical staff," Broos said. "Lyle for the moment has a serious medical problem. The team asked us not to…

Jul

2023

By The African Mirror

Dancing the blues away: Nigerian salsa teacher fights mental health stigma

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

NIGERIA'S Emeka Adindu says salsa saved his life. Growing up in a country with a deep-rooted stigma against mental health issues, Adindu, 35, found solace in the popular Latin dance as he battled abuse, depression and suicidal thoughts. He now helps others do the same - with free dance classes in the capital city Abuja. "Salsa was the only thing that could make me smile all those days that I was battling, fighting with my demon," he says. A 2021 UNICEF report shows one in six Nigerians aged between 15 and 24 are depressed, anxious or have other mental health…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

Osaka thanks fans for ‘all the love’ after French Open withdrawal

SPORT

NAOMI Osaka has thanked her fans for their support after the four-time Grand Slam champion earlier this week withdrew from the French Open, citing mental health issues. The Japanese player initially said she would not attend the tournament's mandatory post-match press conferences, which she said put undue pressure on players. The 23-year-old world No. 2 later announced she would not compete at all and revealed she had been suffering from bouts of depression for several years, leading to an outpouring of support. "Just want to thank you for all the love," she wrote in an Instagram story. "Haven't been on…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Hundreds of thousands of people shackled for mental health issues globally

NEWS

PAUL CARSTEN and ANGELA OKUMADU HUNDREDS of thousands of men, women and children with mental health conditions are living chained up in roughly 60 countries, Human Rights Watch has revealed. Without mental health support or awareness, families or institutions shackle people against their will - often believing their condition is because they are bewitched, possessed or have sinned - and leaving them eating, sleeping, urinating and defecating in one small space, the rights watchdog said in a report. In the run-up to World Mental Health Day on October 10, the report documents almost 800 interviews describing how people with psychosocial…