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The tattoos on Zandile Simelane’s arms tell a story that most people can’t read. Hidden beneath the delicate blue ink of flowers and butterflies, dull white scars rise, remnants of the time when cutting herself seemed like the only way to express how much she was hurting. (Bhekisisa)
ACCESS TO CARE

Cutting: Why teens turn to self-harm when they don’t have words for their pain

For some teenagers, emotional pain manifests as deliberately cutting, burning, hitting, biting, scratching or picking at their skin

  • Tanya Pampalone
  • Anna-Maria van Niekerk
  • Jessica Pitchford
  • Mia Malan
  • Yolanda Mdzeke
  • Thatego Mashabela
  • Justin Barlow
  • Jeannine Du Preez
8 min read
BLACK MEN AND MENTAL HEALTH

Between the lines: What South African stories reveal about men’s mental health

What happens when men can’t ask for help? These South African books offer raw, revealing answers

  • Rolland Simpi Motaung
8 min read
Following the execution of openly gay imam Muhsin Hendricks, Zackie Achmat reflects on the dangerous ways religious communities fuel hate — and his own banning from the community over 30 years ago. (Jay Caboz)
ATHEISM AND RELIGION

The hate you give: On being queer and Muslim in Cape Town

Following the killing of Muhsin Hendricks, the openly gay imam who created safe places for queer Muslims to practice their faith, Zackie Achmat reflects on the dangerous ways…

  • Zackie Achmat
7 min read
File photo: A protester is seen holding a transgender flag during a demonstration. The organisation Trans Zorg Nu (Trans Care Now) organised a demonstration in Amsterdam against the poor state of transgender health care, the long waiting lists, and to demand a structurally different transition care system based on self-determination and decentralisation.(Photo by Ana Fernandez/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
CASS REVIEW

Examining the Cass Review: Impacts on gender dysphoria treatment in South Africa

If we are concerned with the best interests of children, let’s be open minded and keep talking, respectfully

  • Allan Donkin
  • Reitze Rodseth
  • Janet Giddy
17 min read
World suicide prevention day . Photo: Getty Images
MENTAL HEALTH

Take action on suicide prevention instead of just talking about it

World Suicide Prevention Day raises awareness, but there is still much that can be done to stop unnecessary deaths

  • Jason Bantjes
6 min read
MENTAL HEALTH

Suicides need our urgent attention

Treating it with the urgent attention and decisive intervention that it deserves is long overdue

  • Samke J Ngcobo
3 min read
there are no flowers in the streets where children play and the area has experienced four cases of child suicide in recent months. Photo: David Harrison
AUBREY PIEDT

‘The children cannot cope any more’: Suicide in Calvinia highlights lack of support for young

How Covid-19 has intensified the physical and emotional burdens placed on children’s shoulders.

  • Eunice Masson
9 min read