New HIV diagnoses still prompt thoughts of suicide, shame
With free treatment widely available, HIV is no longer a death sentence, but for many people newly diagnosed with the virus thoughts of death are still not far off.
Mental Health
Read More » New HIV diagnoses still prompt thoughts of suicide, shame
Man kills himself after HIV diagnosis
A 26-year-old North West man recently killed himself after being diagnosed with HIV, leaving his family and two-year-old child in shock. A local counsellor says the death underscores the need for better counselling.
Through the looking glass: ‘I was living an unliveable life’
In the latest installment of her regular mental health blog, Jocelyn Fryer writes about how she lost – and found – her voice after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Unregulated old age homes may be on the rise
With only eight government-run old age homes nationwide, unregulated facilities may be preying on the elderly alongside loan sharks and even pensioners’ own families, according to a new South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) report.
Prison’s long shadow: Stigma haunts former convicts
The suicide of an ex-prisoner, who was allegedly stigmatised in his community because of his conviction, has left his mother reeling. A Northern Cape social worker has now called on communities to stop discriminating against those who have served their time for their crimes.
Through the looking glass: Silencing the critic
In her latest column on mental health, writer Jocelyn Fryer talks about what bipolar treatment meant for her body and what her new body meant for her.
Maternal mental health: Baby and bipolar
Exams, pregnancy and a new baby – life for 17-year-old Busi Sibande* had been hectic, which is why her family thought nothing of her strange behavior until the new mum was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Through the looking glass: Learning to love life with bipolar
My confession is this: I have bipolar, writes Jocelyn Fryer as she she reflects on being hospitalised with bipolar and how she has learned to adjust to life after her diagnosis.
Mental illness alarming in prisons
Prison warders are unable to distinguish between a naturally violent inmate and a mentally ill inmate as they receive no training in identifying mental illness.
Bad dagga, good dagga?
People who use high-potency cannabis (“skunk”) every day are five times more likely to have a schizophrenia-like psychotic episode than those who don’t, according to new research.
Untreated depression bad for business
From absenteeism to “presenteeism,” depression could be costing South African business more than it thinks, according to a study released today.
Halfway between help and home
When the voices stop and their thoughts become their own again, people with schizophrenia may be ready to leave psychiatric facilities - but the next step may be anyone’s guess.
Policy: National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013-2020
This 62-page documents is the country's first officially endorsed national mental health policy.
Childhood depression going undiagnosed
No one expects children to be depressed, but what we do not expect, we do not catch, says the South African Depression and Group (SADAG).
Database: WHO MiNDbank
This World Health Organisation (WHO) database includes national policy documents on topics such as mental health, disability and substance abuse from countries around the world.