Nellmapius clinic open to mental illness patients
The awareness day is all about the services that are offered at the clinic, whereby nurses explain to the patients and the community at large the clinic's services.
Residents of Nellmapius and surrounds who needs to consult a mental health provider will no longer have to travel long distances to the require help thanks to the Nellmapius Clinic extending its service offering.
During the clinic’s annual open day and health awareness day last Thursday, clinic committee member Kgomotso Michaeline Malope mad ethe announcment
“Mental health patients coming to this clinic will no longer be transferred to other places but will be treated right here,” she said.
In fact, Malope, said the clinic had already started offering the service.
She said the awareness day, which was commemorated annually “around October at the clinic” was to educate everyone in Nellmapius “about the services that we offer at the clinic, whereby nurses explain to the patients and the community at large about the clinic’s services”.
Malope said the clinic has seen an increase in mental illness cases.
“Therefore, we have invited different stakeholders to come and educate the public about mental illness.
The public also had the opportunity to discuss issues like GBV, teenage pregnancy, and LGBTQ.”
Malope added the public should stop hiding or isolating people who have mental illness.
“People must not bottle things up; they should seek professional help, which is available for free,” said Malope.
Tshwane District Health co-ordinator Sister Julia Ledwaba said they are here to give support to mental health services and educate the public about mental health challenges.
She said mental illness can be treated at the clinic or hospital.
Ledwaba further advised the public to treat mentally ill people with respect.
She said anyone can be affected by mental illness, “including us as professional nurses”.
“Mental illness is a serious disease, and we come across different patients; some of them include a person talking to themselves, not sleeping well, and violent behaviour,” she said.
“The community must stop tying up or chaining mentally ill patients. Rather seek professional help for them.”
Councillor Kholofelo Khopotso said he applauded the clinic for hosting this annual event for residents of Nellmapius.
She said the Nellmapius clinic must continue to engage with patients and the public at large about the services it offers.
She said she was happy with the turnout of the commemoration as it showed that the community is willing to learn.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
