MENTAL HEALTH TEAM: The presenters at InPower are, from left, Professor Zoleka Soji, Professor Zukiswa Zingela and Dr Dr Phumeza Kota-Nyati
The Faculty of Health Sciences symposium, "InPower: Inspire to Empower", will run from 9am to 12 noon at the Beach Hotel in Summerstrand.
Speakers Professor Zukiswa Zingela, Dr Phumeza Kota-Nyati and Professor Zoleka Soji hope to inspire and uplift delegates to the course.
“Join our InPower symposium and take control of your mental health,” said Prof Zingela of the wellness event.
“This will be a space that aims to inspire through empowering you with knowledge and sharing stories of overcoming and resilience. Women and men are welcome since mental wellness and the stories of how we can thrive are universal.
“We all carry anxieties and fears when faced with challenges and it is within our control to manage these or to seek help from someone who can help us achieve this.”
The same trio of academics earlier this year launched a new short learning programme, Enhanced Preparedness Training, focusing on strengthening people’s self- and group coping and management skills.
They will share these skills as part of a supportive and educational symposium to enhance mental wellness and emotional resilience.
InPower is aimed at women who work in the health field, and delegates will earn Continuing Professional Development points.
“The course enhances self- management when faced with challenges and is achieved through a number of techniques aimed at instilling a sense of calm and an ability to manage stress,” said Prof Zingela.
Prof Zingela won the 2024 Distinguished Woman Researcher award at the South African Women in Science Awards in August. Earlier this year she released a book, EPT to Bloom, stemming from the EPT programme she developed over the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event will be in person and online via Zoom, with tickets R750 for the face-to-face symposium, and R250 for the online version.