Today, South Africa joins the global community in marking World Mental Health Day to increase global awareness of mental health issues and mobilise support for mental health.
According to the department, 10 October is also a chance for all mental health stakeholders to discuss mental health challenges and what more must be done to make mental health care a reality for people throughout the globe.
“Stigma and discrimination are some of the leading contributing factors that exacerbate the situation and delay or stop mental health patients from getting help, hence the department appeals to family and community members to play a key role in providing significant support and care to persons suffering from mental illness or psychological distress,” the statement released on Monday read.
In South Africa, the most common mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and substance use disorders.
The 2022 World Mental Health Day campaign is commemorated under the theme: “Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority” which serves as a clarion call for governments, donor funders and all stakeholders worldwide to prioritise mental health.
“This is because, among others, international development assistance for mental health is estimated to be less than 1% of all development assistance for health and this can be improved.”
Meanwhile, South Africa spends 5% of the total health budget on mental health services.
“This is in line with the lower end of international benchmarks of the recommended amount that countries should spend on mental health.”
According to the most recent statistics available, most nations spend around 2.13 percent of their overall health expenditures on mental health, which does not reflect the magnitude of the issue and the burden of mental illness.
The department has been integrating mental health into the general health care environment in accordance with the Mental Health Care Act of 2002 to ensure that individuals have access to mental health services closer to where they reside or work.
Over 40 mental health or psychiatric units have been added to general hospitals throughout the nation, according to the government.
“These units provide comprehensive mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation on an inpatient and outpatient basis and refer to specialized psychiatric hospitals only those who need more specialised and complex interventions.”
In addition, the National Health Council has decided that all new hospitals and clinics should have a mental health unit in order to increase access to high-quality mental health services.
In collaboration with the provinces, the department has engaged 126 private professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists, and certified counsellors, to offer mental health services in primary healthcare.
According to the department, mental observations are also conducted as part of interventions to expedite mental observations according to the Criminal Procedure Act.
“These extra hands will further improve access to and quality of mental health services.”
On the other side, the Adult Primary Care (APC) tool is used to teach primary healthcare personnel to increase their abilities in early identification, effective treatment, and prompt referral of patients who need higher-level interventions.
“Healthcare workers working in general hospitals that admit people with mental health conditions are also regularly in-serviced to strengthen and update their skills in mental health services provision.”