The theme for World Mental Health Day (10 October 2022), “Make Mental Health and Well-Being for All a Global Priority” provides us with the opportunity to renew our efforts to help make Mental Health a priority in South Africa.
The COVID-19 pandemic alone caused a 25% increase in the prevalence of Anxiety and Depression worldwide. It created “a global crisis for Mental Health,” according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and has highlighted that services, skills and funding for Mental Health “remain in short supply, and fall far below what is needed, especially in low and middle-income countries.”
At the same time, Mental Health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for Mental Health conditions widens – especially in South Africa where it is estimated that 9 out of 10 people with a Mental Health condition do not have access to Mental Healthcare.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) receives over 3 000 calls per day from people throughout the country who are feeling Depressed, Anxious, Burnt-out, Traumatised and even Suicidal. These call volumes have continued to increase since the start of the pandemic – with 600 calls per day pre-COVID, to 1 200 calls per day at the beginning of lockdown, to now over 3 000 calls per day, 2 years later, and call volumes are still growing monthly.
SADAG Board Member, Psychiatrist and Psychologist, Dr Frans Korb says, “Not only do those with Mental Illness have to cope with the illness itself, but in many cases, they have to cope with the stigma of Mental Health, the lack of resources and support and often, being rejected by their families and friends which leads to chronic isolation.”
“Like many countries around the world, South Africa was not prepared for the impact that COVID-19 would have on our Mental Health as a nation, or our Healthcare systems, which were not equipped to deal with the crisis and high demand for Mental Healthcare Services. As we move into this next phase, we need to ensure that Mental Health is prioritised and that we have a strategy to tackle the Mental Health Crisis in South Africa,” says SADAG’s Operations Director, Cassey Chambers.
Mental Health Focus areas that need to be prioritized:
| ▪ | We need to strengthen collaborations between government, community, civil society, Mental Healthcare users and policymakers |
| ▪ | Increased investment in the Mental Healthcare Budget – and more open and transparent budgets from all provinces |
| ▪ | More budget allocation and investment into Community Mental Healthcare programmes so that communities, especially in rural areas, have more access to treatment and Mental Healthcare resources |
| ▪ | Prioritising Mental Health Programmes in schools and on student campuses to provide more resources and intervention for young people who are most at risk for Mental Health issues |
| ▪ | Reducing stigma and discrimination by educating ourselves and others on Mental Health to reduce the barriers that prevent people from reaching out for help and the support that they need |
| ▪ | Urgently updating the Mental Health Policy and Strategic Framework to help improve the implementation of Mental Healthcare on the ground in our communities |
SADAG’s Founder and Director, Zane Wilson, shares her vision for the next steps for Mental Health in South Africa, “Creating awareness of Mental Illnesses, breaking down the stigma and offering support to those in distress is a task that has no end, but rather a continuous vision for SADAG. One of the most crucial areas that needs priority are the government community clinics; which don’t have adequate training on Mental Health issues, lack Mental Health trained human resources in these facilities, and the extremely long periods of time that patients have to wait for assessments, treatment and even necessary hospital admission.”
There are cost-effective solutions to tackle these issues; such as the placement of trainees or interns, or investing in more Community Counselling Containers in areas that have no Mental Health treatment or support. “Such as the Community Counselling Containers that we have piloted in both Diepsloot and Ivory Park which service over 300 000 people for less than R800 000 per year,” says Ms Wilson.
SADAG has played an important part over the last 28 years in increasing awareness and education about Mental Health issues. This has been achieved through workshops, talks and community events in both urban and rural areas across the country. We have presented to nurses, social workers, community leaders, traditional healers and faith-based organisations. SADAG also offers crisis intervention through our 25+ Toll-free Helplines which offer free telephone counselling 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In addition to this, we also provide free patient support programmes through our 160+ Support Groups nationwide.
For World Mental Health Day, and throughout the month of October, SADAG will be hosting various activities and online events to educate, create awareness and start conversations around #HowToBeKindToYourMind. Focusing on our own Mental Health self-care tips, sharing people’s lived experiences, students’ Mental Well-being especially during exam time, Mental Health in the workplace and empowering patients on their Mental Health rights. We will share resources and practical tools through our website and social media platforms.
To learn more about our activities, events and information, or to reach out for free Mental Health help, please visit www.sadag.org or contact SADAG on 0800 70 80 90 or 0800 21 22 23 or sms 31393.
We can all do our part to make sure Mental Health is prioritised. We can all raise our voices – Mental Health needs to be a priority in our workplaces, healthcare facilities, schools, homes, student campuses, and communities. And the first step to achieving this is to talk more about Mental Health issues and to bring the topic of Mental Illness out of the darkness and into the light.
