The stigmatisation and discrimination of people with mental illnesses will be top on the agenda as the Limpopo MEC for Health Ms Dikeledi Magadzi addresses patients and their families during a family day service as part of the mental health activities at Hayani Hospital near Sibasa.
During her address MEC Magadzi is expected to encourage family members to accept, care and love people with mental illnesses saying those are the necessary ingredients for speedy recovery.
"It is important that we all accept that mental illness is a real health condition that is treatable to ensure that we support them, including assisting those who are suffering from this kind of illnesses in taking medication as prescribed by a health worker" said Magadzi.
Magadzi also said people must consider institutionalisation as the last resort as patients with mental conditions need care in a familiar environment amongst members of the family and the community.
"There are people who are convinced that a mentally ill patient must stay in hospital forever even when they are not clinically required and most of the time they are not visited, this must change", Magadzi said.
Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate with others-resulting in a diminished capacity for coping with ordinary demands of life.
The good news about mental illnesses is that "recovery is possible" and most people diagnosed with mental illnesses can experience relief from symptoms by taking their individual treatment plan as directed by a health worker.
Media is invited to attend the Family day.
Details are as follows:
Date: 27 October 2011
Time: 10h00
Venue: Hayani Mental Health Hospital
Enquiries:
Joe Maila (Media liaison Officer/Spokesperson)
Cell: 082 887 3581
