Akeso contributes to a mentally healthier South Africa
JOBURG - Akeso launched their new Emergency Response vehicle to help those in psychological crisis
Akeso Clinics Launched their emergency response vehicle for those in psychological crisis on 2 September.
Following the recent deaths of high profile celebrities from suicide and drug overdoses including Robin Williams, Peaches Geldof, L’Wren Scott, Cory Monteith, Alexander McQueen, Whitney Houston, Akeso felt the need to highlight the urgency of seeking treatment for mental health disorders.
This week’s launch of Akeso Clinics’ Psychiatric Intervention Response Unit aims to come to the rescue of South Africans caught in the grip of a potentially life-threatening psychological emergency who need immediate help and containment.
“Our Psychiatric Intervention Response Unit vehicle is manned by qualified paramedics who are trained to assess and manage the psychological state of the patient,” informed Akeso spokesperson Sandy Lewis.
All paramedics have completed Intermediate Life Support courses in addition to specialised training on psychological disorders and patient management.
Lewis stated that, “While South Africa is serviced by numerous emergency response units and personnel trained in physical emergency medicine, there is a real need for a specialist psychiatric unit, geared to recognise and help people suffering from mental health disorders.
“The country’s official crime rates reveal that 45 murders are committed every day; 182 acts of sexual abuse; 511 accounts of serious assault and 473 accounts of common assault. 3 Rape Crisis puts the official rape statistic at almost 27 rapes each day…and the South African Medical Research Council reports that 40 per cent of men have hit their partners,” she said.
”Child abuse is rife – with statistics for 2011/12 from the South African Police Service recording 25 862 sexual offences involving children between April 2011 and March 2012. The statistics also show that 793 children were murdered – in the same period, over 20 000 children were victims of assault,” recounted Lewis.
Lewis said by dialing the number 0861 HELP US (4357 87), callers can access immediate telephonic support and, based on the counsellor’s assessment of the situation, if the caller is in crisis, the intervention vehicle will be dispatched. Once on the scene and after the patient has been safely contained by the paramedics – the intervention vehicle will transport the patient to an appropriate facility, either public or private, depending on patient capacity.
The emergency psychological service is free for all South Africans
