Occupational therapist Misha Naik is Groote Schuur Hospital’s latest Appreciation Wednesday hero.
The campaign lauds hospital staff who are inspiring others during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ms Naik, 36, of Claremont specialises in mental health and provides wellness and psychosocial service to staff in distress.
She says the pandemic has led to a rise in mental-health problems, and she helps people talk about them.
“I am living the dream in helping out my patients and staff,” she says.
She helps hospital staff cope with mental-health problems and arranges counselling for departments and individuals.
Ms Naik’s advice to everyone during these anxious times is that it’s okay not to be okay and that there is no shame in reaching out to others for help.
“Support each other, now more than ever, don’t stigmatise against mental-health sufferers and be more aware of ways of preventing it, because by becoming more aware, you’re also helping the next person.”
The public can leave messages of support for the hospital’s staff on the Heroes of Groote Schuur Hospital Facebook page.
