Mental health and wellness are crucial aspects of well-being. Their understanding and acceptance are vital for the progress of society. In a cultural context, mental health is often shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding, leading to a lack of proper support and care for those affected.
Heal Your Mind with Tracey-Lee Kotzen is a platform for candid conversations that enlighten and enrich our understanding of mental health and wellness.
Join us as we demystify, destigmatise, prioritize, and shine a light on mental health and healing.
The Cost of Being Strong: What We Lose When We Can’t Say We’re Struggling
Host Tracey-Lee Kotzen interviews Kyle Linton, Dr. Njabulo Banda, and Mari Lee about creating safer environments for individuals to share their struggles without fear of negative repercussions.
6 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT
Where Fear Assaulted Dignity, We Rebuild It and the Legacy We Carry
Host Tracey-Lee Kotzen interviews counselling psychologist Jenna Bayer and self-leadership coach Ndumi Hadebe on rebuilding dignity and legacy after systemic oppression.
11 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT
Different Minds, Shared Stories: Understanding Neurodivergence
Tracey-Lee Kotzen interviews neurodivergent individuals, sharing their stories to dismantle stigma and foster deeper understanding of their experiences and needs.
26 May 2025
How Trauma is Stored in your Body
Tracey-Lee Kotzen discusses how trauma is stored in the body with Dr. Svetoslav Bulatov, Jenna Bayer, Akosua Dardaine Edwards, and Verona Rochat Smith, empowering listeners to recognize physical signs and explore holistic healing in this interview episode.
23 May 2025
UNDERSTANDING SOUTH AFRICA’S DEEP NATIONAL WOUNDS
Tracey-Lee Kotzen interviews Hazel Friedman, Dr. Shaheda Omar, Dr. Onyi Nwaneri, Grant Stewart, Martin Pelders, and Pitso Mereko about South Africa's historical trauma from colonialism and apartheid, exploring its impact on the nation's psyche and hindering reconciliation.
6 Nov 2024
#MeToo Movement's Perspective on Healing and Wellness as Essential Pillars for Survivors of Sexual Violence
In this episode, we reflect on my time at the SVRI Forum 2024, where we had the distinct privilege of collaborating with Tarana Burke, the visionary founder of the #MeToo movement, and connecting with Shesheena A. Bray, Director of Programmes and Partnerships, who led wellness initiatives at the event.
In our conversation, we tour the foundation of the #MeToo Movement and it’s unique perspectives on healing and wellness as essential pillars, not only for the team but also for every survivor. Shesheena recounts the early mission of the #MeToo movement, launched in 2006 to empower and support Black women and girls who are survivors of sexual violence. She highlights the movement’s ongoing commitment to resourcing survivor healing and wellbeing through tools like the Survivors Sanctuary online platform.
12 Sept 2024
Navigating Grief Across Cultures
In this episode, we dive into the intricate intersection of grief and culture, unravelling the profound impact it has on mental health.
Grief in a universal experience, yet the way it manifests and is processed varies across cultures, shaping individual and collective responses.
Host Tracey Lee Kotzen is joined by Welile Maleka and Hazel Namponya.
23 Jul 2024
Let's Unpack the South African National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2023 - 2030
In this episode, dive into the South African National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2023 – 2030. Our discussion aims to unravel the intricacies of the framework policy, offering listeners an understanding of its contents and implications.
Host Tracey Lee Kotzen is joined by guest Dr Njabulo Mbanda.
23 Jul 2024
Beyond the Bruises - Unravelling the Impact of GBV on Intimate Partner Relationships
In this episode, we discuss how sexual violence trauma affects intimate partner relationships. Our guest shares their personal stories marked by unresolved trauma, scars, and pain. They recognise how this unhealed trauma impacted their intimate relationships and through their healing journey, give hope to those walking the same path.
Join Tracey as she speaks with guests Martin Pelder, Zoe Pali, Kavya Swaminathan, and Etienne Louw.
7 Sept 2023
INDODA series - Male GBV - addressing its impact on men's mental health
INDODA is a podcast for men to have candid conversations about their mental health challenges from a trauma-informed perspective. The topics of the show are informed and deliberately selected, so as to bring awareness of the systemic contributions towards the mental health crisis.
For so long, we have been fire-fighting symptomatic problems that stem from deeply entrenched and deliberately cultivated socially engineered problems, which predate our time. These have evolved and infiltrated into the lowest levels of our societies.
In this episode, we unpack the stigma of male gender-based violence and address the impact on their mental health.
It is crucial to emphasise that addressing the impact of GBV on men's mental health does not diminish the importance of addressing the systemic violence and discrimination that women and marginalised gender identities face. We approach GBV and mental health issues from an intersectional and inclusive perspective, recognising that everyone can be affected differently and may require tailored support.
Promoting gender equality, challenging harmful gender norms, and ensuring accessible mental health services for all survivors are important steps to ensure a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone impacted by GBV.
#Healyourmind #INDODA #mentalhealthandwellness #mwi #endthestigmaSA
5 Sept 2023
"Gasping for Sanity" - Youth and their struggle with mental health issues
Youth Gasping for Sanity: Unveiling the Mental Health Struggles of South African Youth in a Polycrisis Era
The purpose of this podcast episode is to raise awareness about the mental health challenges that South African youth are confronting. By creating a safe space for dialogue and open conversations, we aim to empower youth to share their experiences, shed light on their struggles, and collectively work towards breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
#Healyourmind #gaspingforsanity #mentalhealthandwellness #youth #mwi #endthestigmaSA
9 Aug 2023
Exploring the intersection between gender-based violence, mental health, patriarchy and culture - ending the stigma
In this episode, we explore the intersection between gender-based violence (GBV), mental health and the role played by patriarchy and culture in perpetuating stigma.
GBV is deeply ingrained in our societies, perpetuating harmful norms and reinforcing gender inequalities. Survivors of GBV often experience a myriad of mental health challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The impact of GBV on mental wellness can be far-reaching and long-lasting, affecting not only the survivors but also their families and communities.
By examining these intersections, we aim to catalyse action towards destigmatising survivors' experiences and providing the necessary mental health support. This podcast serves as a stepping stone towards building a more inclusive and compassionate path to healing and creating a healed and thriving society.
Guests: Kavya Swaminathan (TEARS Foundation | Intervention Supervisor), Hazel Namponya (Collective Action Magazine | Editor In Chief)
Inside a recent episode
The Cost of Being Strong: What We Lose When We Can’t Say We’re Struggling
Published 24 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And it took a couple of years to get there, but in more than one corporate where I work, these kinds of conversations are easier if we can Point out the cost of being silent, not just to the person, but also to the business and measure the social impact. I used the green light movement tool so I could literally show the shift before and after the program, both in the business indicators as well as in the social impact indicators. Marilee, I'm hearing that. Potentially, businesses are not open to this conversation unless they understand the cost on their bottom line. So unless they understand the breakages, the thefts, the sick days, the absenteeism, all of these things that happen when humans are carrying too much and trying to pretend they're not. […]
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