As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, Girls & Boys Town South Africa calls for greater recognition of vulnerable children’s emotional needs, highlighting the role of safe relationships, therapeutic care, and a sense of belonging in helping young people recover from adversity.

A child may have a roof over their head, food on the table and access to education, yet still struggle with fear, rejection, anxiety or the emotional effects of difficult experiences. For children who have experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment or instability, meeting their physical needs is only one part of helping them rebuild their lives.

As South Africa observes Mental Health Awareness Month in October, Girls & Boys Town South Africa (GBTSA) is encouraging the public to look beyond the visible signs of vulnerability and recognise the importance of emotional wellbeing, supportive relationships and access to appropriate mental health care.

The need for greater attention to children’s mental health is reflected in research by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). A systematic review highlighted by the organisation found that approximately 10.1% of young people in South Africa experience depressive disorders, 6.7% experience anxiety disorders and 17.6% experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These findings underline the importance of recognising psychological distress and ensuring that young people can access appropriate support.

For children who have experienced adversity, the effects may extend beyond the immediate circumstances. Difficult experiences can influence how children develop trust, regulate their emotions, form relationships and perceive their own worth. While adversity does not mean that a child will necessarily develop a mental health condition, it can increase the need for understanding, stability and appropriate support.

“Children need more than protection from the circumstances that have hurt them. They also need opportunities to rebuild trust, develop a sense of belonging and understand that their experiences do not define their future,” says Karen Farred, CEO of GBTSA.

“This requires consistency, patience and an environment in which children feel safe enough to express themselves. Emotional healing is not a once-off intervention; it is a journey that requires caring relationships and appropriate professional support.”
UNICEF South Africa has emphasised that children’s mental wellbeing is closely connected to growing up in safe, nurturing environments with supportive relationships and access to quality mental health and psychosocial support.

For vulnerable children, however, the experience of safety may take time to develop. A child who has experienced rejection or neglect may find it difficult to trust adults, express emotions or believe that they belong. What appears to be withdrawal, anger or challenging behaviour may sometimes signal distress that requires patience and a better understanding of the child’s circumstances.

This is why support must extend beyond responding to behaviour alone. Listening without judgement, establishing consistent boundaries, building trusting relationships and ensuring access to professional help can all contribute to a child’s emotional wellbeing.

It also means creating environments where children are not defined by their past experiences, but are supported to develop confidence, life skills and a positive sense of their future.

GBTSA’s approach recognises the importance of providing vulnerable children with both a safe, nurturing environment and structured therapeutic support. Through its residential homes, therapeutic programmes and wider support services, the organisation works to help children strengthen their coping skills, rebuild confidence and develop the foundations needed to participate positively in their communities.

This message was at the heart of GBTSA’s Hug Campaign, held on 3 October 2026 as part of its annual Hugtober initiative.
The campaign used the simple act of a hug to draw attention to the need for care, connection and belonging in the lives of vulnerable children. But its message extends beyond a single day or gesture: a hug can be the beginning of connection, while consistent care helps create the conditions in which healing can take place.

Through Hugtober, GBTSA is encouraging South Africans to turn compassion into practical support. Members of the public can purchase a R20 Hug of Hope sticker or make a financial donation to support the organisation’s work with vulnerable children and young people.

The initiative provides an opportunity for individuals, schools, workplaces and community groups to contribute to a cause that extends beyond raising awareness. Support helps GBTSA continue its work of providing children with care, therapeutic support, education and safe environments in which they can develop and thrive.

“Small gestures of kindness matter because they can help a child feel seen and valued. But we must also recognise the importance of what happens after that moment: the continued care, encouragement and support that help a child begin to feel safe and build a different future,” adds Farred.

Supporting children’s mental health is not the responsibility of caregivers or professional services alone. Families, schools, communities and organisations all have a role to play in creating environments where children feel comfortable asking for help.

Adults can contribute by taking children’s concerns seriously, making time for honest conversations, noticing changes in behaviour and helping children access appropriate support when needed. Schools and community organisations can also help by fostering a culture in which emotional wellbeing is discussed openly and seeking help is not treated as a sign of weakness.

Mental Health Awareness Month provides an opportunity to reflect on these responsibilities, but the need for care and understanding continues throughout the year.

For GBTSA, the message behind Hugtober is a reminder that children need more than moments of comfort. They need consistent opportunities to experience safety, develop trust and discover that their circumstances do not have to determine their future.

A hug is just the start. Help us heal the rest.

To purchase a Hug of Hope sticker or support GBTSA’s work, visit: https://girlsandboystown.org.za/hugtober/
ENDS

ABOUT GIRLS & BOYS TOWN SOUTH AFRICA
Healing Heartbroken Children with Compassion and Care
Since 1958, Girls and Boys Town South Africa has been a sanctuary of healing heartbroken children. Our mission is to mend the invisible wounds of those who have faced unimaginable challenges, guiding them towards a future filled with promise and possibility.

Imagine a child whose laughter has been stifled by hardship and loss. At Girls and Boys Town South Africa we embrace these children with open arms, offering them more than just a place to stay—we give them a chance to reclaim their joy, rediscover their inner strength, and build a future they can be proud of.