Mental disorders widespread in people with HIV
HIV often affects the mental health of people living with the virus. Yet many health workers are either unaware of this or too busy to do anything about it.
Mental Health
Read More » Mental disorders widespread in people with HIV
Mental Health in need of a boost
Psychiatric patients have been long neglected by the health system and hidden from the public eye. Recently, a commission of enquiry heard evidence of gross abuses, including sexual and physical abuse, of psychiatric patients by staff at Townhill Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
Bara psychiatric staff do their best to stabilise acute patients
Despite huge staff shortages, Chris Hani Baragwanath'€™s psychiatric wards provide some relief for the mentally ill.
Psychiatric clinics battle to meet demand
Huge staff shortages put pressure on community clinics.
What is mental illness?
Mental illness is wide-spread and often undiagnosed, with the World Health Organisation estimating that 450-million people worldwide suffer mental illness.
Schizophrenia drug withdrawn after fatal reports
Melleril, one of the oldest drugs prescribed for schizophrenia, has been voluntarily withdrawn following ongoing reports that it affected the heart'€™s rhythm with unconfirmed reports of deaths.
Facing our fears
Living with AIDS #196
The threat of HIV infection poses a great communication challenge for relationships today. The need for more open and honest talk becomes even more crucial. But what does one do when the other party is not willing to engage?
Living with AIDS #196
A safe haven for troubled teens
Overburdened and under-resourced, William Slater Centre is the only public institution of its kind that helps problem teens in the Western Cape.
Mental health under pressure
The World Health Organization estimates that about 450 million people worldwide are affected by mental, neurological or behavioural problems. This happens despite the existence of effective treatment for most mental disorders. In South Africa, severe staff shortages result in a ratio of one psychiatrist to 150 000 people according to South African Society of Psychiatrists. In Poffader in the Northern Cape, Stanley Basson is a Professional Nurse who cares for psychiatric patients as best he can.
Stigma is the main stumbling block to success of mental health treatment
Although October was Mental Health Awareness month in South Africa, Professor Margaret Nair of the Psychiatric Department at Nelson Mandela School of Medicine says mental health is still stigmatised by government, communities, medical aids and media who often resort to sensational headlines. Professor Nair stresses that disorders like depression, anxiety, dementia, schizophrenia, substance abuse and eating disorders can affect anyone and need to be understood by society at large. Thandeka Teyise compiled this report.
Western counselling not appropriate
Survivors of violence in the developing world are unlikely to respond to western interventions based on individual counselling. This is according to a study conducted in Angola amongst displaced people living in Huila province, the results of which are published in the latest Lancet.
Healing for the heart
The legacy of apartheid has left many wounds - mental, physical and emotional. On November 11, the Eastern Cape town of Cradock will host the launch of a film about one of its former citizens who has travelled a long journey to come to terms with the pain and anger she felt following the murder of her husband. The film, "Nyameka's Story" is based on the life of Nyameka Goniwe and the process she has undergone since her husband, UDF leader Matthew Goniwe, was killed by security forces in 1985. Thandeka Teyise spoke to her about her healing process.
Confronting the fears that haunt us
October 5-11 is National Anxiety Disorder Awareness Week. The aim of the week is to educate the public about the anxiety disorders, to help sufferers find appropriate treatment and to help destigmatise these conditions. Health-e takes a look at some of the phobias that affect some 21% of all South Africans.
Mental Health Bill enacted by December
Several pieces of legislation are expected to come before Parliament before the end of the year. The health minister describes the Mental Health Care Bill as one of the most interesting pieces of legislation while the crucial National Health Bill will not be tabled this year following Constitutional hitches.
Breaking the cycle of violence
What can be done in societies with a legacy of violence and division to help heal children to enable them to develop to their full potential and break the cycle of violence and poverty? Sue Valentine attended a meeting of the Northern Ireland-South African colloquium for a day of realistic and inspiring discussion of what interventions can make a difference.
