Date: 10/10/2004
Source: Northern Cape Provincial government
Title: D Molusi: South African Council of Churches
MEC FOR HEALTH, KAGISHO DAVID MOLUSI, ADDRESSES THE CONGREGATION AND MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, 10 October 2004
Today is World Mental Health Day. This day brings awareness to people regarding the state of their mental health, and promotes the prevention, care, treatment and rehabilitation of mental illnesses.
World Mental Health aims to promote mental health advocacy and educating the public on relevant issues.
The theme for this year's World Mental Health Day is "The relationship between physical and mental health". This theme focuses global attention on the interconnection between of mind and body.
Mental health problems are common in societies throughout the world, and many families are affected at some point or another. This could be as a result of a mental or neurological disorder, severe stress or from alcohol and drug related problems.
Mental health problems can happen to anyone. These problems could include depression, epilepsy, intellectual disability or alcohol dependence.
Severe mental health problems could have serious economic consequences, which in turn leads to unemployment and poverty, as well as other problems like racism and violence against women and children.
Mental disorders such as depression often result in suicides. Some people try to kill themselves because they are depressed.
A person with a mental disorder should know and understand their illness and treatment. They should also know their rights and responsibilities.
The family, which is an important support system for each and everyone, needs to be educated on mental illness, treatment and rehabilitation of a family member who is mentally ill. Families also need to pay attention to the social and clinical needs of their mentally ill relative.
Members of the congregation, as a community we need to treat mentally ill persons with respect and human dignity. We need to know that mentally ill persons have the same rights as all other people.
The Mental Health Care Bill recognises the need to promote the provision of mental health care services in a manner which promotes the maximum mental well-being of users and mental health care services and communities in which they reside.
There are a number of interventions by the Department of Health in the Northern Cape to address mental disorders.
At primary health care level, the current health care services available include support groups in certain areas and home-based care, as well as screening, attendance to emergency services and referral to chronic patients and referral of new cases.
The Department of Health's Community Health Centres offer specialised psychiatric services, and workers who are stressed can access service with referral from their doctor or supervisor.
At all hospitals in the province, mentally ill persons receive emergency care, assessment for certification and observation, while the Department also provides specialised services at West End hospital and the Psychiatric Hospital for specialised services.
The Department of Health appeals to communities and wishes to encourage people to visit their nearest primary health care clinic for assessment as early identification and treatment is of vital importance.
It is believed that one of the greatest obstacles to preventing mental illness is ignorance.
Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions. We need to break down the barriers of stigma in our communities, and motivate people to seek help should they feel too stressed or suspect a mental disorder.
In conclusion, the Department of Health wishes to convey messages of gratitude to the Uniting Presbyterian Church and its honourable Reverend MC Letseleha, for using this ministry as a medium to communicate these essential health-related messages to the community here.
The partnership between the Department of Health and the South African Council of Churches, as well as the Moral Regeneration Movement is a significant one. We need to strengthen it, and work together for the benefit of our society and its development.
As a department, we are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles, and we appeal to you to take care of the mind, the body and the spirit.
Thank you.
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
10 October 2004
Source: Northern Cape Provincial government (http://www.northern-cape.gov.za)
Source: Northern Cape Provincial government
Title: D Molusi: South African Council of Churches
MEC FOR HEALTH, KAGISHO DAVID MOLUSI, ADDRESSES THE CONGREGATION AND MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, 10 October 2004
Today is World Mental Health Day. This day brings awareness to people regarding the state of their mental health, and promotes the prevention, care, treatment and rehabilitation of mental illnesses.
World Mental Health aims to promote mental health advocacy and educating the public on relevant issues.
The theme for this year's World Mental Health Day is "The relationship between physical and mental health". This theme focuses global attention on the interconnection between of mind and body.
Mental health problems are common in societies throughout the world, and many families are affected at some point or another. This could be as a result of a mental or neurological disorder, severe stress or from alcohol and drug related problems.
Mental health problems can happen to anyone. These problems could include depression, epilepsy, intellectual disability or alcohol dependence.
Severe mental health problems could have serious economic consequences, which in turn leads to unemployment and poverty, as well as other problems like racism and violence against women and children.
Mental disorders such as depression often result in suicides. Some people try to kill themselves because they are depressed.
A person with a mental disorder should know and understand their illness and treatment. They should also know their rights and responsibilities.
The family, which is an important support system for each and everyone, needs to be educated on mental illness, treatment and rehabilitation of a family member who is mentally ill. Families also need to pay attention to the social and clinical needs of their mentally ill relative.
Members of the congregation, as a community we need to treat mentally ill persons with respect and human dignity. We need to know that mentally ill persons have the same rights as all other people.
The Mental Health Care Bill recognises the need to promote the provision of mental health care services in a manner which promotes the maximum mental well-being of users and mental health care services and communities in which they reside.
There are a number of interventions by the Department of Health in the Northern Cape to address mental disorders.
At primary health care level, the current health care services available include support groups in certain areas and home-based care, as well as screening, attendance to emergency services and referral to chronic patients and referral of new cases.
The Department of Health's Community Health Centres offer specialised psychiatric services, and workers who are stressed can access service with referral from their doctor or supervisor.
At all hospitals in the province, mentally ill persons receive emergency care, assessment for certification and observation, while the Department also provides specialised services at West End hospital and the Psychiatric Hospital for specialised services.
The Department of Health appeals to communities and wishes to encourage people to visit their nearest primary health care clinic for assessment as early identification and treatment is of vital importance.
It is believed that one of the greatest obstacles to preventing mental illness is ignorance.
Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions. We need to break down the barriers of stigma in our communities, and motivate people to seek help should they feel too stressed or suspect a mental disorder.
In conclusion, the Department of Health wishes to convey messages of gratitude to the Uniting Presbyterian Church and its honourable Reverend MC Letseleha, for using this ministry as a medium to communicate these essential health-related messages to the community here.
The partnership between the Department of Health and the South African Council of Churches, as well as the Moral Regeneration Movement is a significant one. We need to strengthen it, and work together for the benefit of our society and its development.
As a department, we are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles, and we appeal to you to take care of the mind, the body and the spirit.
Thank you.
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
10 October 2004
Source: Northern Cape Provincial government (http://www.northern-cape.gov.za)
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