Mental health in SA: Health24: Psychology

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Mental health in SA

Millions of South Africans live with mental illness. Learn more about how common it is and how our society and healthcare system respond to it.

Health system let mentally ill down

Catherine, a Mpumalangan woman with a family history of depression, has learned the hard way about the failure of our health services in looking after the mentally ill.

Medical aids discriminate

A recent consensus by the World Psychiatric Association placed the spotlight on South African Medical Aids and their benefit systems. For years psychiatrists and psychologists have been speaking out about and attempting to lobby for better or at least equitable benefits for psychiatric patients, but now the discrimination against members with mental health conditions by medical aids has also attracted recent media attention.

Mental illness: Country's cost

The World Health Organization recently placed an emphasis on mental health, with health being defined as: "complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity", endorsed by all WHO’s 191 member states.

Myths & facts about mental illness

Mental health and illness are often misunderstood regarding the causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Here are some common myths that surround mental health, and the correct facts about each.

Psychiatrists fight discrimination

The South African Society of Psychiatrists has been instrumental in drafting a White Paper to address the stigma and possible discrimination towards patients with

The greatest stigma of all

“Stigma is the biggest obstacle to the treatment of people who suffer mental illness. The biggest cause of stigma is ignorance,” says Professor Margaret Nair from the Department of Psychiatry at Natal University.

Sad state of psychiatric care in SA

Recent figures released by the South African Society of Psychiatrists show that currently, psychiatric disorders represent 10% of all diseases worldwide and in South Africa it is estimated that between four and a half to five million people are suffering from a psychiatric disorder. If you include alcohol and drug abuse in this figure, it rockets to a frightening 15 million people.

New Act 'a positive step'

A key roleplayer in mental health care welcomes the new Mental Health Act but raises a few important considerations.

Long way ahead for mental health

July is Psychiatric Disability Awareness month. We take a look at where mental health care is in South Africa.

SA: 1 in 3 mentally ill

One in every three people reading this article will have a mental illness in their lifetime, according to statistics made public this month.

Stressed out in South Africa

Debt, political uncertainty, economic woes, crime. Are South Africans becoming a pill-popping nation of boozers?

Disaster for SA mental health

The sudden move by medical aid schemes to deny chronic medication benefits for various mental illnesses has been condemned as the "biggest disaster to hit psychiatric care in South Africa in the last 10 years".

Facts about mental illness

October is Mental Health Awareness Month. We give you some interesting facts about mental illness and recovery.

Mental illness common

Between 1% and 3% of the South African population are likely to suffer from a mental health problem severe enough to require hospitalisation.

Millions in SA have mental illness

One in four people worldwide will suffer from a mental or behavioural disorder some time in their lives.

Prejudice and mental health

Sufferers might no longer be regarded as possessed by demons or imprisoned, but the vicious cycle of ignorance, suffering, destitution and even death is perpetuated by prejudice.

Racism and mental illness

Racism and mental illness have a long, sad history in South Africa, with the effects of apartheid still painfully apparent. We look at the effects on immigrants.

The power of drug companies

Most of us wonder why medication is so expensive. Our Cyber Shrink helps us to understand the way in which pharmaceutical companies work.

Hope for the mentally ill?

One in four people worldwide will suffer from a mental disorder some time in their lives. Effective treatment exists, but only a fraction of South Africans have access to it. During Mental Health Awareness month we look at this growing problem.

Denial costs mentally ill

Only 45% of South African patients with mental health problems seek help timeously, reports a new study.

Focus on high suicide rates

South Africa has the eighth highest teenage suicide rate in the world. We look at suicide and mental illness on World Mental Health Day.

25% of SA have mental problems

Up to six million South Africans may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Destigmatising mental illness

While progress has been made in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, there is still much work to be done and many myths that need to be dispelled.