Issued by: Department of Health Pretoria - At least 75% of all people will suffer from mental illness at some stage in their lives, says the South African Federation for Mental Health.
With July being observed nationally as the Mental Illness Month, the Department of Health (DoH), in conjunction with the federation, is developing new approaches that seek to end all forms of discrimination, empower and create stability for people with mental illnesses.
Unlike in the past when mental patients were mostly put in institutions, the DoH's new approach is to integrate mental health into the primary health care level and community mental health services will be integrated into comprehensive health care services.
The practice of institutionalising most mental patients is under review and the focus of treatment has shifted from only medicating patients, except where necessary, to rehabilitation.
"The Department is shifting care of mental patients from predominant institutionalisation to predominant community care," Dr Edith Madela-Mntla, Deputy Director for Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
"We are currently putting in place initiatives to encourage people in communities to actively participate in the care of the mentally ill because we want a shift from the perception that mental illness is different from other illnesses. We only want to see severe cases being referred to institutions," she added. Another initiative which has just been completed is the development of norms and standards for mental health care, to improve the care and conditions also for those patients in institutions.
Madela-Mntla said the stigma attached to mental illness emanated from the mentality that people with such an illness have no human rights and are of no use in life. She said such persons had to be rehabilitated adequately and integrated into community and the employment sector, because this would contribute towards their stability.
Pointing out to the fact that mental illness is more widespread than most people realise, Ms Zakia Saloojee, spokesperson for the SA Federation for Mental Health, said in about 80 - 90% of all cases of physical illness, mental disturbances were usually the primary cause.
"Despite some persons being more vulnerable, mental illness can affect anyone, and up to 75% of all people will at some stage experience mental disturbance (emotional distress) that requires intervention. People tend to attach a stigma to mentally ill patients and even to the nurses who work with them. Mental illness is only a lack of mental well-being and it can happen to anybody," Madela-Mntla says.
To date there is no known treatment for mental illness, just as in the case with cancer and Aids. The most effective treatments, as with schizophrenia, are based on a multi-disciplinary approach. This means that medication, supportive counselling, community support, vocational rehabilitation, skills training, cognitive retraining, understanding, love and support from family and friends are the basis for treatment.
The two major factors, of mental illness are usually biologically and psycho-socially related with the abuse of alcohol and drugs, and emotional distress being major contributors.
Schizophrenia is one of the most common mental illnesses in the country. It varies from individual to individual, and involves paranoia, which could be distrust, fear, suspicion, delusions of grandeur (false beliefs), inappropriate or flattened emotions and hallucinations.
Madela-Mntla said there are no accurate figures as yet on the mental status of the population in South Africa. However the DoH is planning to conduct an epidemiological study to determine the mental health status of all South Africans, which will determine the prevalence of mental illness.
Further information and support for people affected by mental illness can be obtained from the SA Federation for Mental Health at 011 725 5800.
17 July 1998
Contact: Lulu Sebake / Mini Vusani Phone: 012 312 0614/0621 Fax: 012 - 325 7814