As the City of Johannesburg observed Mental Health Day on 10 October, a talk on depression and mental health took centre stage at the Jeppe Clinic in the inner city.
People experience mental distress differently, according to Jabulile Magubane, who is a health promoter from Jeppe Clinic.
She said depression lowers a person’s mood and can make them feel they have no hope, are worthless, not motivated and tired. It can affect sleep, appetite and self-esteem, she said.
“Anxiety often goes hand in hand with depression. It leads to constant and unrealistic worry about aspects of daily life which cause restlessness, sleeping problems and possibly physical symptoms, such as increased heartbeat, stomach upset and muscle tension.”
She urged people who might have one of these or other mental illness symptoms to seek help early and once they are diagnosed, should take their medication and stick to it.
All the City of Johannesburg’s clinics offer free mental health screening on a daily basis for residents. Testing and treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV are also available at no cost at Joburg clinics.
MMC for Health and Social Development Dr Mpho Phalatse, during the TB awareness month last year, said that screening and treatment would be available during and beyond the completion of the campaign.
Phalatse also recently celebrated the registration of the 500 000th patient to Joburg’s eHealth system.
“The eHealth system will ensure secure storage of patient information, immediate transfer of patient information and better, safer, faster access to healthcare,” Phalatse said.
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