Did you know that about one in five South Africans suffer from a mental disorder severe enough to affect their lives significantly? Roughly 25% of all general practitioners’ patients are ill due to psychiatric rather than general medical conditions. Nearly 20% of high school students every year think about fatally harming themselves. Nevertheless, thousands of South Africans would rather die than admit that they suffer from some sort of mental illness.

Mental Illness Awareness Month’s focus

Mental illness awareness focuses on the overall health and wellbeing of every person. The goal is to influence everyone to be aware of his or her mental state. A healthy mental attitude is a vital component in the life of a healthy individual.

Studies indicate that psychiatric disorders are worldwide among the leading causes of disabilities and are more common than cancer, diabetes or heart diseases.

Extent of mental illness

It is estimated that mental disorders involve 12% of the global burden of diseases and that this percentage is increasing. Between 10% and 20% of children worldwide suffer from a mental or behavioural difficulty. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that five of the ten leading causes of disability and premature deaths are psychiatric conditions for ages 14 to 45.

About 450 million people worldwide are estimated to be suffering from neuron-psychiatric conditions. These conditions include unipolar depressive disorders, bipolar affective disorders, schizophrenia, epilepsy, alcohol and selected drug use disorders, Alzheimer and other dementias, post-traumatic stress disorders, obsessive and compulsive disorders, panic disorder and primary insomnia. The WHO also estimates that more than 24.3 million people worldwide currently have dementia and 60% of people with dementia live in developing countries.

Approach of the SA Mental Care Act

The Mental Health Care Act of South Africa (MHCA) No 17 of 2002 was promulgated on 15 December 2004. This Act repealed the Mental Health Act of 1973 which was custodial in its approach and did not uphold the human rights of people suffering from mental illnesses as provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

Goals for better mental health

Better mental health for all should focus on the following four strategic goals:

    • To reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses
    • To achieve equity for mental health care, comparable to other health care services
    • To advance promotion, prevention, and early intervention services for children and their families
    • To increase public awareness in South Africa about mental health and mental illness and to stimulate local actions to address those issues.

If you suspect that you or one of your loved ones may suffer from a mental disorder, do not hesitate to take the necessary steps to verify the situation. Consult with your doctor and he or she will decide whether to do the diagnosis and treatment themselves or to refer you to a psychiatrist.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about mental illness awareness.