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.
Mental illness is wide-spread and often undiagnosed, with the World Health Organisation estimating that 450-million people worldwide suffer mental illness.
Huge staff shortages put pressure on community clinics.
Despite huge staff shortages, Chris Hani Baragwanath's psychiatric wards provide some relief for the mentally ill.
Melleril, one of the oldest drugs prescribed for schizophrenia, has been voluntarily withdrawn following ongoing reports that it affected the heart's rhythm with unconfirmed reports of deaths.
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?
Overburdened and under-resourced, William Slater Centre is the only public institution of its kind that helps problem teens in the Western Cape.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Almost 700 psychiatric patients have been discharged from hospitals in the Western Cape and according to the SA Health review, more will follow. Many believe that mentally ill patients will have a better quality of life outside an institution. However, being exposed to a new kind of life outside hospital walls presents numerous challenges. Kerry Cullinan reports
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