People need greater access to mental healthcare services
JOBURG– October is Mental Health Awareness Month.
One in three South Africans will or do suffer from mental illness at some point in their lifetime, however, only one in 10 people with mental illness has access to mental healthcare says the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag).
October is Mental Health Awareness Month and this year’s theme is ‘Greater investment – Greater access’.
According to psychiatrist and chairperson of SA Mental Health Alliance Dr Mvuyiso Talatala, “The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that 10 per cent of any national health budget should be spent on mental health, however, less than five per cent of the South African health budget is spent on mental healthcare. The majority of that budget is allocated to inpatient hospital care.”
Talatala said, “There isn’t nearly enough budget and resources allocated for outpatient programmes to help patients once they leave hospitals, and there isn’t enough money invested in community mental health systems.”
He added that South Africa’s mental healthcare system is reactive, focusing on treating the most severe conditions rather than preventing or providing early interventions. “As a country, we have done well in terms of policy, but we are poor in terms of implementation and financial investment.”
Sadag operations director Cassey Chambers said Sadag call volumes have doubled in the last six months of lockdown.
Psychiatrist and Sadag board chairperson Dr Frans Korb added that Covid-19 caught everyone unaware and unprepared.
He said that the pandemic has seen a steep increase in psychiatric problems, aggravation of existing psychiatric cases and put a severe strain on caregivers. “Only now are we starting to see the long-term consequences. I am starting to see people presenting with memory, psychological and neurological problems. I believe that these consequences will be with us for a long time yet,” said Korb.
Chambers said that if something is not done soon to address access and investment, we will be dealing with a tsunami of issues.
“We must remember that behind each of the statistics are real people who we want to reach and help.”
Details: Call the Sadag 24-hour helpline on 080 045 6789.
