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Submission Number: 265
Submission ID: 1502
Submission UUID: e6a2d09d-456c-4f57-8f4e-11b5934d5d31
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Fri, 07/18/2025 - 22:17
Completed: Fri, 07/18/2025 - 22:58
Changed: Thu, 08/14/2025 - 14:08
Remote IP address: 41.13.112.152
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Ms.
Matsebula
Charlotte
University of limpopo
Charlotte is a 24 year-old who graduated her undergraduate degree from the University of Limpopo in 2022. She is currently persuing her Masters degree with specific focus on mental health and contributions of social workers in the field. She holds experience in social work in mental health care, Substance Abuse Treatment and prevention as well as child protection and welfare.
Charlotte recently published an article on perceptions of family caregivers in relation to their caregiver role towards mental health care users.
Charlotte’s professional goal is to become a Ph.D holder who will contribute greatly towards the curbing of some social ills and enhance stability and wellbeing for all through practice.
Charlotte recently published an article on perceptions of family caregivers in relation to their caregiver role towards mental health care users.
Charlotte’s professional goal is to become a Ph.D holder who will contribute greatly towards the curbing of some social ills and enhance stability and wellbeing for all through practice.
No
Abstract
Rendering Psychosocial Services to Mental Health Care Users: Social Workers’ Lived Experiences and Their Role in Achieving SDG 3 in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SUB 2.1 Social work’s contribution toward global sustainability and equity goals.
Oral Presentation
Rendering Psychosocial Services to Mental Health Care Users: Social Workers’ Lived Experiences and Their Role in Achieving SDG 3 in Mpumalanga, South Africa
ABSTRACT: Social workers play a pivotal role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, by rendering psychosocial services to mental health care users. In South Africa, particularly within the Mpumalanga Province, these professionals often face complex challenges with minimal institutional recognition or support. Despite their essential contribution to the mental health sector and global sustainability efforts, their lived experiences remain underexplored. This study explored the lived experiences of social workers providing psychosocial services to mental health care users in Mpumalanga, aiming to highlight both the challenges they face and the support mechanisms needed to enhance their roles in contributing to SDG 3. A qualitative, phenomenological research design was adopted, utilising semi-structured interviews with 11 purposefully selected social workers from three offices of the Mpumalanga Mental Health Society: Nelspruit (4), Bushbuckridge (3), and Lydenburg (4). Thematic analysis was used to interpret and synthesise participants' narratives. Key findings include a lack of understanding of mental health policies and legislation, weak stakeholder engagement, and insufficient financial, structural, family, and moral support. These experiences underscore the need for systemic interventions to empower social workers and improve service delivery in the mental health field. To better support social workers and strengthen their contribution to SDG 3, the study recommends enhanced mental health education at the undergraduate level, stricter implementation of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and broader stakeholder involvement. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure both the well-being and mental health of care users and the sustainability of social work practice.
Keywords: Mental Health; Mental illness; Social workers; Experiences; Challenges; Mental health-care users.
1. Matsebula CN 2. Singwane TP 3. Rapholo SF
ABSTRACT: Social workers play a pivotal role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, by rendering psychosocial services to mental health care users. In South Africa, particularly within the Mpumalanga Province, these professionals often face complex challenges with minimal institutional recognition or support. Despite their essential contribution to the mental health sector and global sustainability efforts, their lived experiences remain underexplored. This study explored the lived experiences of social workers providing psychosocial services to mental health care users in Mpumalanga, aiming to highlight both the challenges they face and the support mechanisms needed to enhance their roles in contributing to SDG 3. A qualitative, phenomenological research design was adopted, utilising semi-structured interviews with 11 purposefully selected social workers from three offices of the Mpumalanga Mental Health Society: Nelspruit (4), Bushbuckridge (3), and Lydenburg (4). Thematic analysis was used to interpret and synthesise participants' narratives. Key findings include a lack of understanding of mental health policies and legislation, weak stakeholder engagement, and insufficient financial, structural, family, and moral support. These experiences underscore the need for systemic interventions to empower social workers and improve service delivery in the mental health field. To better support social workers and strengthen their contribution to SDG 3, the study recommends enhanced mental health education at the undergraduate level, stricter implementation of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and broader stakeholder involvement. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure both the well-being and mental health of care users and the sustainability of social work practice.
Keywords: Mental Health; Mental illness; Social workers; Experiences; Challenges; Mental health-care users.
1. Matsebula CN 2. Singwane TP 3. Rapholo SF
Reviewer ONE Feedback
Dr
Thabisa
MATSEA
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
Prof
Roelf
Reyneke
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted