HEARTFELT Conversations with JAX

We all know that children and young adults are carrying very real pressures in their daily lives right now.

The quiet pressures of social media, combined with the gap in understanding between generations, are creating a real and urgent crisis for many young people.

From mild anxiety to severe mental health struggles that can leave young people feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, these challenges deserve compassion, understanding and action.

This is where SADAG, The South African Depression and Anxiety Group, has played such an important role for more than 30 years, offering support, guidance and hope to people facing mental health challenges of all kinds.

But this work cannot continue without more financial support, empathy and practical help from all of us.

Today I speak to Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha – the Project Manager: Education (SADAG)
In this conversation, we explore when and why SADAG began, while also getting to know Roshni and the meaningful work SADAG continues to offer to those who need mental health support.

Thanks once again Roshni for this wonderful conversation.

I am hoping to reconnect with Roshni soon to learn more about SADAG’s plans for the annual 16 Days of Activism at the end of November, and how we can help address the growing global issue of gender-based violence.

My heartfelt thanks to Roshni for sharing her voice and to all of you for listening to Conversations with Jax.

Please remember to like and subscribe.

You can also watch all recorded audio episodes on YouTube using my handle, @HeartFELTwithJAX.

BARRY HILTON

Episode 2 of this very heart warming story of the last few months in the life of Mamma G (Carol Gay Douglas-Jones) - who left this world on 12 August 2024 - offers such an incredibly inspirational guide to all who are, still might or even those who have already been through the devastating experience of watching a loved one deteriorate in front of your eyes.

Dementia and similar neurologically debilitating progressive diseases...such as Parkinsons / Huntingtons / Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases as well as Alzheimer's are potentially soul crushing to all who are part of the effected person.

We get more of how Karen Justine and her sister (Lee-anne) fought for their mother to feel loved and extremely well cared for as she deteriorated in front of them. Karen makes it clear that the loss of her mother was never going to define her future.

Her acceptance of Mammas G fate as the next obstacle and painful obstruction in her journey to finding her ultimate peace is simply an incredibly mentally liberating narrative. Karen Justine and Lee-Anne (Flea) - thank you for opening up and sharing your story... As always, my heartfelt thanks Jax THEN... Please don't forget to help us reach those who need to hear these stories but subscribing, likes and commenting on each episode. We are not only on YouTube but on all podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts as well.

Welcome to the final episode of the The Mervyn Keith Isaac GRIEF story. EP 3 : OUR NEXT CHAPTER BEGINS Mervyn Isaac was diagnosed with heart failure in late August 2016 - the prognosis being very dire with the news that his heart was only functioning at 5% of a healthy heart. On 25 August, 2 months after this recording, Anne will be commemorating 24 months since his passing... In this episode Anne takes us further as she explains how the grief is managed by her and Zander. She explains, compliments and thanks all the wonderful support groups she has joined as well as one she is facilitating at the moment. Anne also gives us an idea of how she plans on keeping his memory alive. Annes story is very personal for Ant and I as we feel truly privileged to have had an opportunity to get to know Mervyn - a wonderful friend. Please share these episodes as they are extremely helpful to all those who have been through similar losses. As I have mentioned so many times, Anne herself is an incredible human being who has many gifts - from this series you will be able to acknowledge and understand her gift of communication. Thanks so much Anne. I love and respect you... I WILL be bringing you back for a chat in the future. THEN... Please don't forget to help us reach those who need to hear these stories but subscribing, likes and commenting on each episode. We are not only on YouTube but on all podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts as well. As always, my heartfelt thanks to you for listening JAX

We continue our series on the many deep emotional and potentially harming effects of grief. The Mervyn Keith Isaac GRIEF series begins with the emotional rollercoaster ride that is PRE-EMPTIVE or ANTICIPATED GRIEF * Learning to LOVE and HATE the traumatic experience of caring for and/or watching someone close to you slowly deteriorate and eventually succumb to their mortality. EP 2 : MY DELIRIOUS GRIEF In the first episode, we got to know and understand who Anne was and how their family of 3 managed as best they could to live and continue to love while Mervyn continued to battle through his Mervyn was diagnosed with heart failure in late August 2016 - the prognosis being very dire with the news that his heart was only functioning at 5% of a healthy heart This episode begins that extremely painful realisation for Anne and Zander that their lives has changed forever with his passing. Mental struggles, family squabbles and the realisation that the person she was before the death is very much evolved into someone different. Mervyn and Annes only daughter, Zander is commended regularly by her mom for helping her get through her own trauma and as a result, the bond between mother and child strengthens. Please be on the lookout for episode three which will follow shortly.... THEN... Please don't forget to help us reach those who need to hear these stories but subscribing, likes and commenting on each episode. We are not only on YouTube but on all podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts as well. As always, my heartfelt thanks to you for listening JAX