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The South African Stress and Health (SASH) study, conducted between 2002 and 2004, was the first nationally-representative study of common mental disorders in South Africa. It was conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organisation's World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative. Of the 4351 adults interviewed 16,55% had experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months and 30.3% in their lifetime. Anxiety, substance and mood disorders were the most common.

The cost to countries is huge. According to the Mental Health Information Centre (MHIC), direct costs include the costs of treatment and rehabilitation as covered by medical aid and other managed health care schemes. Indirect costs include loss in productivity, decreased motivation, increased absenteeism, increased staff turnover, early retirement, safety risks, accidents, interpersonal conflict, suicide and the cost of inadequate or inappropriate treatment.

Treatment effective
Fortunately the advances in research and science have greatly improved the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses. Early diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders can lead to rapid recovery and can substantially reduce economic and personal costs of illness. The WHO estimates that 60% of people with depression can recover with appropriate treatment and 80% of those with schizophrenia can be free of relapse after one year of treatment and family intervention.

People are unfortunately not always treated appropriately. Various reasons have been suggested, including a lack of resources, facilities and funding. Many medical aids also discriminate against the mentally ill by allocating inadequate funding for appropriate treatment.

In South Africa, only 1% of the health budget is spent on mental health. According to the South African Society of Psychiatry (Sasop), there are only 350 psychiatrists in South Africa, 177 who work full-time and 56 part-time. The rest work for the state.

According to the MHIC, the single most significant reason why people do not seek help or do not receive appropriate care remains the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Where to go for help
For more information on mental illness or referral to a mental health professional, contact the Mental Health Information Centre (021) 938 9229. – (Health24)

Updated July 2008

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	Confirmed! 2008/10/10 12:23:32 PM I' ve always suspected that at least 100 people in the 400 or so on my FB friends list, are mentally ill in some way. And I mean that. I have 2 acquaintances in particular who really REALLY need help and who both represent a huge threat to society but both of whom are living in suburbia, scaring the daylights out of all of us.Scary stuff. - Ca55   Mental Illness 2008/10/13 08:29:39 AM The sad part is people who have any mental problems are shunned by society and are therefore too scared to talk to others. Dee - Dawn   Challenge for Mentally Handicapped childeren 2008/10/13 08:39:03 AM It is a fact that very little is done is this country about mentally challenged people,but so much can be spent on Aid what a disgrace, I have mentally challenged children and have to numerous doctors,and the goverment hospitals are the worst,after a long search I eventually found Dr Allers how is a wonderful doctor and really help us tremoudously,with our son,thank you to him, and to the doctors at Weskoppies which nearly killed my son wake up - Lynda   Bipolar,Schizophrenia 2008/10/13 09:21:50 AM My 22 year old son has been diagnosed with Bipolar,Schizophrenia affective dissorder! Also,he suffers with obssesive compulsive disorder! He takes cloment,rivatril and a anti-depressant! What natural medication i.e. vitamens can I give him to make him more positive? - GLENDA   Schizophrenia 2008/10/13 02:56:25 PM Glenda,, kindly contact me to discuss, I have a brother who is schizophrenic and we have tried the vitamin approach, Perhaps we can share the experience. - Mohammad   mental degrees 2008/10/13 02:57:51 PM i am what you would consider mental, i work, have a family and many friends HOWEVER what sets me apart is a very fine line to go off the edge, i think i have just described the whole of the nation. We all go bonkers at some point, now i am considered to have a mental disorder. I think if you have a brain you have a mentality and a degree of madness, be it 1% or 5% or 30% or 50% or 80% Welcome to the madness whatever level you are on! - anet   mental ilness 2008/10/13 03:30:12 PM There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad. - caitiff   Mental illness 2008/10/14 12:32:32 AM Those with personality disorders do not realise what a terrible affect they have on their spouses and famiies. There should be more help available to these people &  a better system to diagnose them. There is nobody in South Africa who can diagnose Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or if there is please help. It is prevalent in our society. - Cath   Mental Health Services Cape Town 2008/10/23 07:11:50 PM If you live in Cape Town and in need of accommodation for a long-term client or a child with severe dual disabilities, visit www.mentalhealth.org.za It is operated by Kingdom Ministries. Only 30% of their expenditures are covered by subsidies, but they really do a great work! - Mental Health
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