NEWSLETTER - June 2025

elimclinic12345
Jul 14
5 min read

Mental Health – our neglected friend

As life speeds long, we become more and more consumed by the responsibilities, stressors, and rush to make ends meet. Often, we overlook our health, grabbing a bite to eat here or there, enough just to keep us going. For some, exercise is part of the routine, with time being made for gym sessions, or a run, or a game of paddle. However, a vital part of our health is often neglected… our mind or mental health.

Now, when we talk about mental health, we refer to both mental wellness and emotional wellness. Whilst both of these have their distinct characteristics, there is a clear connection between them. Where mental wellness refers to the individual’s ability to handle the stressors and be productive and effective in the way they manage their life and social interactions, emotional wellness refers to the individual’s ability to adapt to specific situations and stressors and handle this adaption effectively. Why is this important? Well, emotional well-being is essential in the pursuit of mental well-being. When we are stressed, our ability to adapt effectively is tested, and if we are unable to navigate the stressful situation successfully our emotional wellness takes the hit.

To live an optimal life, we need to accept that a healthy body houses a healthy mind, and that a healthy mind promotes a healthy body. We cannot separate body and mind. Think about this, when we are feeling emotionally drained, or have experienced an extremely stressful situation, our body manifests this in how tired we are, or how ‘sore’ our body is. This state of emotional exhaustion can influence our thought patterns as well as influencing how we interact with others and our world. Spend half an hour with someone who is extremely negative and then evaluate how you feel both physically and mentally.

Neglecting your mental health can lead to a range of negative consequences, including increased stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as physical health problems like digestive issues and weakened immunity. It can also strain relationships, diminish your ability to cope with challenges, and even increase the risk of substance abuse or suicidal thoughts.

Recognizing the Need for Help:

Persistent sadness or low mood: Feeling down or hopeless for extended periods.
Excessive worry or anxiety: Experiencing persistent and overwhelming anxiety.
Changes in sleep or appetite: Significant changes in sleeping patterns or eating habits.
Loss of interest in activities: No longer enjoying things you used to find pleasurable.
Social withdrawal: Avoiding social interactions and isolating yourself from others.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions: Experiencing brain fog and trouble focusing.

Being aware of what you are feeling, experiencing, and how you are coping with the stressors, difficulties is the first step in taking care of your mental and emotional wellness. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; in fact it shows the motivation to get better which is inherently a strength.

Elim Clinic Out-Patient services

The structured out-patient programme is designed to give these service users the tools to enter recovery whilst working or studying. The programme is offered over 9 sessions (including an assessment session) which can be accessed via face-to-face therapy, or virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Contact Sasha (reception@elimclin.co.za) /Karabo (socialworker@elimclin.co.za) at Elim Clinic to learn more about this programme.

Testimonial

My time at Elim Clinic was something worth remembering and definitely worth my while. I have met some of the most wonderful and amazing people here that are still good sober friends till this very day.

Some of the best moments of my life were here and there were many heartwarming moments I will remember for the rest of my life. The staff here are all friendly and very helpful, always treated me with respect.

Special thanks to all the nurses, chefs and all staff members who treated me like family. I would highly recommend anyone who is struggling/ battling with addiction or emotional problems to come to Elim Clinic as it has helped me a lot and is and will forever be like a second home SafePlace, save haven for me and countless other who have been here and have been helped an their journey far most to all at Elim and its staff thank you kindly for everything you have done for me. I wish you all the best, much love

Evan. 06.06.2025

Upcoming events and trainings

Thrive: Are you Communicating? – 25 July 2025

See the advert below to find out more

Please contact Lebo @ Lebogang@elimclin.co.za if you would like more information.

Keep an eye open for our upcoming workshop on

Breath-Work – 29 August 2025 11H00 – 16H00

The Power of Purpose Basic’’: 11-12 August 2025

The Power of Purpose Advanced’’: 13-15 August 2025

This training is an introduction to substance use disorder that empowers practitioners to handle basic interventions for Substance use disorder.

31st August 2025 – Elim Clinic Recovery Service

April 2025 saw the launch of the Elim Clinic Extended-Stay programme.

Some service users want or need to stay in a protected space for a longer period to stabilize their treatment programme. Elim Clinic is pleased to offer alternatives to those service users wanting longer-stay treatment as opposed to the usual 24 days.

The programme allows for 12 or 24 week stays at the clinic, thus affording the service user the opportunity to strengthen their recovery progress whilst at the Centre. Furthermore, the programme is a structured bio-psycho-social intervention programme, and includes all costs related to treatment.

Contact Sonja (admission@elimclin.co.za) or Lebo (Lebogang@elimclin.co.za) at Elim Clinic to learn more about this offering.

Elim Training and Development department (ElimPro) recently hosted the first session in the ‘Thrive’ series of personal wellness workshops. The series is open to everybody who would like to participate and seeks to provide understanding of the importance of our mental and emotional wellness, as well as providing tools that can be used to promote this wellness

ElimPro will be hosting a session each month until November so be sure to follow us on our socials to see dates and information for upcoming sessions in ‘Thrive’.

Elim Clinic began the pilot of the extended stay programme in March 2025. This programme structured over 16 or 32 weeks (depending on the service user requirements). Feedback from those service users that have accessed the programme has been good. Research suggests that those people who access longer-treatment programme have more chance of achieving long-term recovery than those who access the minimum sort programmes. This is not to say that either short or long term is more effective, as both have their merits. However, the long-stay programme does provide a more stable recovery start for those accessing it.

The first 3 months of recovery are the most crucial and also the most dangerous as the majority of relapse will occur within this time frame. Extending the treatment for 16 weeks allows you to build a more stable and effective recovery plan.

One of our service users had this to say:

‘’ My experience at Elim Clinic was truly life-changing, the 3 months program allowed me to dive deep into my struggles with addiction, and I was amazed by how much I learned every day. Despite the repetition of the program each therapist brought their unique perspective, and I gained something new from every session. My individual therapy sessions with Judith & Natasha were particularly impactful. They helped me confront and heal from childhood traumas and painful experiences from early adulthood. Their guidance and support were invaluable. What stuck me the most was the passion and dedication of the entire team from nurses to security personnel. Everyone treated me with respect and dignity, making me feel like a person, not just someone struggling with addiction. The food was incredible. Elim clinic has had a profound impact in my life, and I am not the only one it’s helped, 3 generations of my family overcame addiction. I am forever grateful for this wonderful facility and the amazing team that made my recovery possible

The thing that sets Elim apart is it has HEART!”