illness
2 July 2007
The national Department of Health (DoH) together with its partners in the
mental health sector will today Monday, 2 July 2007, start with a campaign to
raise awareness around mental illness and its impact on the overall wellbeing
of society.
The campaign themed "Giving effect to human rights in mental health" will,
among others aim to:
* raise public awareness on the rights of mental health care users
* promote a positive attitude among health professionals towards mental
health
* promote access to psychiatric medication that improves the quality of life
for mental health care users
* orientate key stakeholders on their roles and responsibilities in mental
health.
The theme is motivated by the fact that patients with mental illnesses like
all citizens have human rights that include the right to human dignity,
privacy, representation, care, treatment and rehabilitation. One of the
long-term outcomes of this theme is to educate and encourage all South Africans
to treat mental illness patients with the respect and dignity that they
deserve.
Since the promulgation of the Mental HealthCare Act in 2002 significant
improvements have been witnessed in the area of mental health. These include
the establishment of Mental Health Review boards, the designation of health
establishments to serve as psychiatric care facilities, treatment and
rehabilitation centres and the revitalisation of psychiatric facilities.
During the campaign a number of workshops will be held with civil society
organisations, professional bodies and Mental Health Review boards to promote
understanding of mental health as well as what the Mental HealthCare Act
provides for in terms of caring for patients with mental illnesses.
Enquires:
Fidel Hadebe
Cell: 079 517 3333
Issued by: Department of Health
2 July 2007
