The North Gauteng Mental Health Society in a Non- Profit welfare organization situated in Jan Niemand Park , Pretoria. The organization has been in existence since August 1951 and is affiliated to the South African Federation for Mental Health. Our aim is to enhance and maintain the mental health of the people in the area in which we operate. Our vision is to be a dynamic organization, which serve as an effective resource to empower people to attain optimal mental well-being and quality of life in the community.

First phase

1951-1969 NGMHS looked mainly into the needs of children with intellectual disabilities, first for white children, but by 1956 services for other racial groups was determined.

Second phase

During 1969-1978 mental health needs were assessed and community psychiatric clinics were established. Fields of service delivery expended to include not only intellectual and psychiatric disability, but also life crisis.

Third phase

1979-1985 was the phase wherein satellite offices in Mamelodi, Atteridgeville and
Soshanguve were established based on the needs identified in the communities (Statutory work services).

Fourth phase

1985-1999 was the phase wherein the urgent need for non-residential day care services for children and adults with intellectual disability and mental illness was identified which resulted in the establishment of various facilities for youth and children in the townships.
The organization was also required to offer after care services (Community Development Projects) in the communities, to individuals and families of people affected/infected by mental illness and HIV/AIDS.

Seventh phase

2020/2022 The past financial years has been very challenging, this was due to the wild spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all the negativity brought by the pandemic NGMHS has been able to provide needed services to its beneficiaries and the different communities that it is demarcated for.

The organisation was operating remotely and visual due to the pandemic. Towards the end of this financial year 2021/2022 we have seen life gradually returning to normal and a lot of our operations going back to normal E.g. our offices are full time operational and face to face public education event are conducted

2022/2023 In the past financial year the organisation has been able to relocate to Eastlynne (51 Jan Coetzee Street, 0186) to can be able to reach more clients and be easily accessible.

Fifth phase

2005-2014 this phase can be seen as the introduction of decentralized centres with delegated management responsibilities in terms of all the facilities in that township under the Social Workers and the community.

2015-2016 the organization bought a new property in Nellmapius (6577 Deude Street, Nellmaphius) to be used as head office.

 

Sixth phase

2017-2019 the NGMHS board of directors and the management come up with the strategy of stabling the office marketing and communication office which will come in handy as prevention measure to further sustain the organisation through fundraising and ensures that relevant information reach stakeholders and community in general through website and social media pages.

The advocacy department was also established with the view of advocating for mental health issues. Through the establishment of the department, the relationship with other organisations and clients that frequently seeks mental health information has been maintained.
The office of support was also established in 2019 with the idea of providing support to all mental health care users in Pretoria as a whole, and to provide support to all the seven social workers offices that the organisation has. The department also acts as a support structure for the two protective workshops run by the organisation.

Due to high number of cases and backlogs the management of the organisation expanded the Social Work office by adding another social work office in Nellmapius Ext 24 aiming at working with the community to improve the quality of their lives, addressing the socioeconomic barriers that often lead to poverty, crime, poor health and values underperforming schools. The office provides the energy for transformation, empowering residents with the knowledge, resources and capacity to self-direct and self-govern their lives and circumstances.