UCT Sustainability and the SDGs 2022 - Magazine - Page 11
SDG 3
GOOD
HEALTH AND
WELL-BEING
health screenings and referrals supported by occupational
health.This integrated approach ensures that UCT staff
are not only supported when facing personal or mental
health challenges, but also bene昀椀t from preventative and
occupational health practices.
Supporting student health and wellness
UCT’s Student Wellness Service (SWS), managed by the
Department of Student Affairs, provides comprehensive,
student-centred primary healthcare across all campuses
through its main clinic and satellite facilities. SWS delivers
As a leading institution on the African continent, UCT plays a
integrated medical and counselling services aimed at
pivotal role in advancing health and wellbeing – both within
promoting holistic wellbeing and supporting students to
its community and across the region. UCT is recognised
thrive academically and personally. Its multidisciplinary
globally for its excellence in health sciences research,
team of healthcare professionals offers prevention, early
particularly in infectious diseases and environmental health.
detection, and treatment of both physical and mental health
Through extensive partnerships and clinical exchange
conditions while promoting healthy lifestyles and wellbeing
programmes spanning Africa and the world, the university
awareness.
contributes to medical breakthroughs and trains the next
generation of healthcare leaders equipping them to meet
Mental health support
global health challenges.
In 2024, SWS expanded its counselling services, appointing
additional counsellors to meet growing demand. The
Institutional initiatives
counselling team includes psychologists, social workers,
and occupational health services through the Human
members. HR continuously works to strengthen access to
and a wellness coach, ensuring a holistic approach to
Resources (HR) Remuneration & Bene昀椀ts division. The
these services, especially under challenging circumstances
Supporting holistic sta昀昀 health and wellness
psychosocial support. Complementing this, the Wellness
university partners with external providers – such as Lyra
(e.g. during the COVID-19 pandemic) by facilitating
Buddy Programme – a peer-led mental health initiative
UCT’s commitment to staff wellbeing is re昀氀ected in
Wellbeing and the South African Depression and Anxiety
remote counselling, extending capacity and publicising
– provides early intervention, referral and community-
its Organisational Health framework, which integrates
Group (SADAG) – to offer con昀椀dential, around-the-clock
options via the HR portal. Staff are also encouraged to
based support to students who may be hesitant to seek
Employee Assistance Services (EAS), counselling support
counselling access for employees and immediate family
use wellness resources through medical aid bene昀椀ts,
professional help.
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Sustainability and the SDGs 2024 – 23
