Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital is part of the community and has the skills to assist people with addiction and mental health.
Speaking at the eighth annual Recovery Walk in Cape Town, in the facility’s main hall on Saturday September 17, hospital chief executive officer, Warren Caesar, encouraged collaboration and proposed the venue to be the event’s home.
“We must sit and talk if Lentegeur should be the home for the Recovery Walk,” he said. “We cannot have homelessness because that is just going to be another challenge for us.”
The walk celebrates recovery from addiction and mental illness.
Mr Caesar said the walk was a step forward in breaking the stigma against drug addiction and mental illness.
“At Lentegeur we have a set of skills and who does that belong to,” he asked. “It belongs to you and you need to tap into it.
“From your side as clients you need our skills and we need to offer it to you. So I’m glad we are here. We talk about collaboration. There is nothing stronger or better for all of us,” he said.
Lastly Mr Caesar said those in recovery should share their stories.
“Please tell them so we can help another person,” he said.
More than 600 people walked through the streets of Lentegeur, holding banners and posters conveying positive recovery messages.
At the main hall activities included an open mic stage where people shared their recovery journeys, information stalls and smaller group activities.
In recovery, Warren van Reenen, formerly from Westridge and who now lives in Kuils River, attends regular 12-step programme meetings in the area.
He attended the walk to give back to the community.
Having lived a life of crime and struggling with addiction in Mitchell’s Plain many years ago, he said: “I felt I needed to give back to the community I previously stole from.”
Mr Van Reenen has been in recovery for the past 20 years – mid-way he had a relapse but has been clean for the past four years.
Shaun Anthony, 32, from Rocklands, brought his family along to the walk.
“I attend the walk to add value to my recovery from drugs,” he said.
He grew up in Eastridge and started his recovery about nine years ago.
“There have been failed attempts but I want to be a family person and be a part of my children’s lives. I want to be the best version of myself,” he said.
Mr Anthony encouraged those struggling with addiction that they should give themselves the chance to come clean.
“I never thought I could do it. I never thought I could stay clean for longer than an hour. When I allowed myself that chance, I discovered recovery is for me,” he said.
Co-ordinator and a founding member of the walk, Jenny Chadwick, from Kommetjie, said: “I am in long-term recovery of addiction and I am living differently in a healthier way.”
They said the walk was a platform where various people in the field of recovery could network, talk to each other and celebrate what could be done together.
“The silos will always exist and the Recovery Walk provides a platform for the silos to be together. There are many paths to recovery,” they said.
Mx Chadwick said it showed that they are real people who have found a diversity of recovery solutions.
“Together we create a day where recovery is enjoyed by all,” they said.
The walks are organised by a team of volunteers, an independent group, who collaborate with like-minded organisations.
They are not affiliated with any corporations, 12-step groups, political parties or religions.
This year’s Recovery Walk is sponsored by The Cedars, Liberty Home and Trellidor; and with partners Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital, The Spring Foundation, municipal Ward 81 and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).
The Recovery Walk offers people living with an addiction or mental illness a space to be open about their recovery.
For more information visit their Facebook page, Instagram account Recovery Walk Cape Town or email recoverywalkcapetown@gmail.com
• Jenny Chadwick’s gender identity is non-binary and Mx Chadwick’s declared and respected gender pronouns are they/them. Mx is a gender-neutral alternative to the gendered Mr, Ms, Miss and Mrs.
