Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has called upon South Africans to regard mental health as an integral part of overall individual health and well being. The Minister said this as part of his message to mark the World Mental Health Day observed on 10 October every year.
“During this day we call on society to accord mental health the attention it requires. Mental health cannot be ignored or neglected as it is crucial to the overall well-being of individuals, society and the country”, said the health Minister.
World Mental Health Day raises public awareness about mental health issues. The day promotes open discussion of mental illnesses or disorders, the extent of the problem and how to access treatment services.
This year the international theme is "Investing in mental health". The theme brings to attention the need to allocate adequate financial and human resources to mental health to ensure that the best possible mental health services are available and accessible to those that require them.
The burden of mental illness gives rise to huge social and economic consequences to individuals, their families and whole communities.
Mental illness creates a huge burden on families, especially the primary care givers and impacts on the family’s quality of life.
One in four people will be affected by mental disorder at some point in their lives.
Mental illness cause one third of years lost due to disability worldwide and account for 13% of total disease burden.
High levels of mental illness have been found to co-occur with infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, Diabetes mellitus etc.
During this day we also need to inform the public that effective treatments and interventions are available to them
Enquiries:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 395 8493
