The money is aimed at helping implement a comprehensive and integrated programme promoting the health and well-being of students and staff at universities and colleges, in addition to the allocated budget in the baseline of each institution.

The office of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, revealed that over R20 million has been allocated for the financial year 2022/2023 to the agency.

Higher Health is a national agency that "seeks to inspire the success of two million students that attend 26 universities and 50 TVET colleges by improving their health and wellbeing". 

In a reply to a member of parliament, Nomsa Tarabella-Marchesi, it was stated that the department acknowledges the surge in the number of students who are experiencing mental health challenges, especially in relation to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the number of student suicides that are reported. 

"The department regards addressing mental health as part of a holistic approach to the health and wellbeing of staff and students," the reply states. To archive the aim of Higher Health, for the financial year 2023/2024, over R27 million has been allocated. Higher Health also provides on-campus support to post-school education and training (PSET) institutions in seven priority areas:

•    Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis (TB) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
•    Sexual reproductive health, maternal health and contraception
•    Gender-based violence
•    Mental health
•    Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+)
•    Alcohol and drug abuse prevention
•    Disability 

"Mental health is central to the approach of Higher Health," the response continues. Higher Health is explained to be skilled in facilitating both first and second curriculum activities in the form of peer-to-peer education and in-classroom interventions through the integration of general health and wellness, addressing the wide range of social and health challenges experienced by staff and students. To help the agency meet its aim, over R28 million has been allocated for the financial year 2024/2025. The agency provides psychosocial support services through:

•    pro-active screening;
•    prevention and awareness programmes;
•    organised programmes such as first-thing-first and second curriculum activities;
•    the Higher health toll-free helpline;
•    Through interventions provided by on-campus and off-campus counselling and clinical psychologists.

"Higher Health's activities also include focused campus activities, campus radio programmes and peer support mechanisms. The agency has set up campus and community radio stations to engage young students routinely on matters related to specific sexual and gender-based violence and mental health as a matter of priority.

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"There is also Higher Health's 24-hour toll-free helpline available in all 11 official languages. The helpline offers health, wellness and psychosocial risk assessment toolkits for early screening, empowerment and referral related to gender-based violence, mental health, HIV, TB and other matters."  

To ensure the above happens smoothly, the department has allocated over R29 million for the financial year 2025/2026. 

The minister’s reply concludes that for the year 2022, over 14 000 students accessed the various Higher Health models of psychosocial support.

"Academic stress and anxiety (30%), general stress and substance abuse (22%), depression and suicide (18%) and sexual, physical and emotional abuse (19%) present the main reasons for accessing support care."

The Higher Health 24-hour toll-free helpline is 0800 36 36 36, alternatively SMS 43336. 

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