By Menziwa Msibi

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing, in collaboration with the North West Department of Basic Education, recently presented a disability workshop at Orion in Rustenburg.

The workshop was attended by employees with disabilities from the department, representing all the districts in the North West province.

Senior academic Prof Leepilo Sehularo represented the School of Nursing and shared a presentation on mental health issues related to disability.

He highlighted that the prevalence rate of disability in South Africa is 7,5%, with a higher prevalence among females at 8,3% than compared to males at 6,5%. He added that more than half (53,2%) of individuals aged 85 and above reported having a disability.

Prof Sehularo pointed out that not all disabilities are visible, and urged all attendees, especially those without disabilities, to show kindness to everyone, as they may be unaware of the invisible struggles others might be facing.

“Many individuals will experience a disability at some point in their lives, which can significantly limit their functioning. These limitations may manifest as difficulties in walking, climbing stairs, hearing, seeing, concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.

“Common mental disorders among people with disabilities include dementia, bipolar, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, as well as mental and behavioural disorders resulting from alcohol and substance use,” he added.

Prof Leepilo Sehularo