Residents urged to report ‘abuse’ by mentally ill
Department of Social Development spokesperson Adéle van der Linde says persons with intellectual disabilities are often not accountable for their actions.
POLOKWANE – An increase in the number of evident mentally challenged individuals wandering the streets in Polokwane has prompted the Department of Social Development to advise residents to report incidents of what seem like verbal abuse by such persons, to the nearest police station or healthcare facility.
Being mentally impaired complicates normal brain-function in areas such as learning, problem-solving, communicating, and living independently.
Departmental spokesperson Adéle van der Linde says a good strategy is to accept that the person might think and act differently.
“We have to accept that some of our friends, family members and even strangers, do not think and act the same way if they have some form of intellectual disability.”
Van Der Linde says it is the responsibility of the one who is mentally and emotionally fit to behave accordingly. “One must keep in mind that persons with intellectual disabilities are often not accountable for their actions, but a person in a healthy mental and emotional state is supposed to know right from wrong.”
The provincial department has suggested that those who have been affected by questionable conduct by mentally ill persons, report this to government healthcare institutions such as the Thabamoopo Psychiatric Hospital and the Polokwane Provincial Hospital.
“If the specific person is part of a family or extended family, talk to his or her caretakers or parents for them to seek help and counselling. The most important thing is to not retaliate or even hurt the person. If the person becomes violent, the police should be contacted to assist,” Van der Linde said.
