Cape Town - October marks Mental Health Awareness Month worldwide and for the past 30 years, the Kite Festival's annual activations have played a significant role in allowing people to speak freely, without fear of labels, about their mental health.
The popular attraction has been the Cape Mental Health’s flagship event that allows artists, mental health ambassadors, staff, mental health care users, volunteers and everyone to share their stories of pain, healing and recovery.
While there are various stigmas around mental health, local celebs say there are no boundaries to the class or circumstances attached to those who battle the challenges around mental health.
The Cape Town International Kite Festival has grown over the past 30 years from a small one-day event to an international kite-flying event that hosts local, national and international kiters, pop-up flies, community flies, Edukite Competitions, on-stage entertainment, kite-making workshops, and more.
As the event grew, new elements were added, creating greater attraction and more opportunities to raise awareness of mental health and the inclusion and integration of children, youth and adults with mental disability.
Among the celebrities supporting the cause this year is actress Melanie Du Bois who explained: "Mental health is extremely important to me because I have lost family members to suicide and we each have our own struggles with regards to mental health. I am so excited to be part of the initiative of Cape Mental Health and the Cape Town International Kite Festival - it’s an amazing way to shed light on the topic of mental health.
“A subject that has been left in the darkness - it is time that we start having uncomfortable conversations about mental health. It’s not always a pretty thing, but if we stand together as a society and educate yourselves, we can break the stigma.
“As an actress in the public eye, it’s a privilege for me to use all avenues available to me to speak about mental health, create awareness and encourage others to have the freedom to speak about and overcome their own mental health challenges."
Singer Majozi said: “As someone who understands the importance of mental well-being, I'm honoured to be part of Cape Mental Health’s awareness campaign.
“By using my platforms available to me as an artist, I hope to reach as many people as possible, encouraging open conversations around mental health and breaking the stigma that often surrounds it. We all need to prioritise our mental well-being, and if sharing my experiences or offering support can help even one person, then it's worth it."
Actress Kim Syster agrees: "The reason I was keen to get involved was because of the importance of creating awareness.
“Many are suffering in silence and hopefully by seeing someone in the public eye talking about it openly, will allow others to not feel ashamed about their struggles and for seeking help. I’ve always been open about struggles and so I’m using my social platforms to bring awareness.”
Other media personalities lending a hand is radio and TV presenter Carl Wastie and motivational speaker, author and leader Ivor Swartz.
Cape Mental Health CEO Dr Ingrid Daniels said this year's theme for the Cape Town International Kite Festival is #HopeOnAString.
“Because despite the fragility of the string, it allows the kite to fly higher and higher - just as we humans rise above the circumstances that life throws our way. #HopeOnAString brings a message of hope, potential and encouragement when faced with adverse circumstances.
“Each tug of a string is a reminder of the strength and resilience within us all. Cape Mental Health's primary goal each year is to find a theme that facilitates their massive mental health awareness and promotion campaign, ultimately facilitating a pathway that encourages early intervention and mental health support. It is an opportunity to ensure that conversations regarding mental health are normalised.”
The Cape Town International Kite Festival’s annual Pop-Up Fly Event will take place at Melkbosstrand Beach on Sunday, 27 October from 10am and will feature extraordinary local professional kiters such as Mari and Bradley Ware-Lane, Bobby Gathoo, Brian Skinner as well as a few international surprises.