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MENTAL ILLNESS IN SOUTH AFRICA

MENTAL ILLNESS IN SOUTH AFRICA. “Community Attitudes Towards and Knowledge of Mental Illness in S.A.”. Soc Psychiatry Epidemiol (2003) 38:715-719 According to this study, “5% of the total population show definite psychiatric syndromes and roughly 20% show evidence of psychiatric distress.”

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MENTAL ILLNESS IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  1. MENTAL ILLNESS IN SOUTH AFRICA

  2. “Community Attitudes Towards andKnowledge of Mental Illness in S.A.” Soc Psychiatry Epidemiol (2003) 38:715-719 According to this study, “5% of the total population show definite psychiatric syndromes and roughly 20% show evidence of psychiatric distress.” However, the following was evidenced in the research of this study that, “stigma and misinformation regarding mental illness exist, influencing preferred treatment modality and help-seeking behavior. More work needs to be done to educate the public about the psychobiological underpinnings of psychiatric disorders and about the value of effective treatment.”

  3. THREE MAIN ISSUES • AIDS • CRIME • TRADITIONAL TRIBAL RITUALS

  4. AIDS http://www.pgaf.org/pressreleases/south_africa_stats.html

  5. RESULTS OF AIDS • Thousands of homeless orphans. • Older children become ringleaders for younger children and involve them in illegal behavior like prostitution. • Builds on more hatred between blacks and whites and used as a tool for revenge. • Mental issues relating to AIDS victims and related family members.

  6. “Using Psychosocial Interventions in a S.A. Township.” • Mental health practice June 2005 vol 9 no.9. • The primary aim of the project was to improve access to metal health services for residents of the township. • 45% of SA still in poverty. • Life expectancy, due to aids and tuberculosis in 2000 was 47.8 years. • Therefore, social problems are critical.

  7. Study continued This specific study was conducted in a township called KwaZakhele (near Port Elizabeth). They have 400,000 residents and most do not have running water or sanitation – they live in basic shack dwellings. PRIMARY GOAL: TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS OF THE TOWNSHIPS.

  8. Study Continued • Mainly nurses were trained on psychosocial interventions for mental health in the UK. It was culturally adapted for SA. • They increased trainees knowledge about mental health and enhanced the ability to communicate with mental ill people. • The clinics in SA were not well resourced, far distances for patients to have to travel, long queues to wait in and limited treatments. • This resulted in a failed system as patients and were classified as defaulted. • The plan of a defaulter tracing system was implemented. This presented problems due to tracking homes that were either not numbered or too long of no’s, i.e. 66,548. • Through persistence and community help, 74% of the people were found and returned to the clinic within the first three days.

  9. CRIME • 1000 crimes reported – 430 arrests are made. 77 – convicted of which 8 got 2 or more years imprisonment. (http://www.rescuewithoughtborders.org/id29.html) • http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/pubs/public_info/c/86878/1

  10. South African Crime Stats

  11. RESULTS OF HIGH CRIME • In 2000, 62 policeman died…this compared with 2 in NY which was due to a car accident. Police deaths in 2001-2002 were 45 policeman. • Many professional and educated people, i.e. Doctors have left the country. This has resulted in systems and institutions suffering and failing, i.e. hospitals. • FEAR IS DETRIMENTAL TO A HEALTHY MENATL STATE OF BEING!

  12. TRADITIONAL HEALINGS

  13. SA ETHICAL CODES

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