Most of its countries are characterized by low incomes, high prevalence of communicable diseases and malnutrition, low life expectancy and poorly staffed services 1,2. In 1988 and 1990, the member states in the african region of the world health organization who adopted two resolutions to improve mental health services, and each state was expected to formulate mental health policies, programs and action plans. This risk is true across populations most affected by the epidemic in different regions of the world. In the aftermath of apartheid, south africa has inherited a fragmented, underresourced and inequitable public sector mental health service. South africas 1997 mental health policy guidelines, despite some strengths in their content, have a number of crucial procedural flaws. In 2012, ghana took a significant step forward in addressing the nations mental health when it passed act 846, also known as the mental health act, becoming one of the few countries in africa. Faced with many challenges, including intractable poverty, infectious diseases, maternal and child. Statistics from a global study presented at a recent mental health summit in johannesburg revealed that mental disorders have increased by 22. Aug 21, 2019 in addition to a lack of resources, stigmas surrounding mental health pose a major stumbling block when it comes to treating the disease in south africa, explains chambers. Poor knowledge low mental health literacy, negative attitudes, and fear of stigma are likely to influence the helpseeking behaviour of south africans, and education has the potential to have a positive impact on the mental health situation in south africa peltzer et al.
Objective to assess the prevalence of child mental health problems in community settings in subsaharan africa. In africa, where mental health disorders account for a huge burden of disease. Designation of health establishments administered under the auspices of state 6. An assessment of mental health services in two african. This policy took the form of a document titled national health policy guidelines for improved mental health in south africa, which was approved by a meeting of the national minister of health and provincial ministers of health department of health, 1997a. Approximately 20% of children have a mental health disorder, but the majority of disorders are not detected and treated. Mental health, for example, is an influential factor in childrens health and reproductive health, as well as in immunity, susceptibility, and prognosis related to communicable diseases such as malaria and hiv. The legislation made mental health a major public health issue and identified steps needed to address relevant grounded in the principles of respect for human rights, and the promotion and protection of those rights who. For further information and feedback, please contact. Mental illness is very prevalent in south africa, yet the country lacks many of the necessary resources and policies needed to execute an effective mental health strategy. Prevalence of child mental health problems in subsaharan africa. The culture of mental illness and psychiatric practice in africa on. In the area of mental health, another of the journals key topics, the lancet global health has been much less prolific. Many psychiatric disorders have their onset during adolescence.
This publication was produced by the department of mental health and substance dependence, noncommunicable diseases and mental health, world health organization, geneva. Surgeon journal 1999, mental health is the successful performance of the mental function resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and providing the ability. Update on adolescent mental health south african medical. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise cambridge core to connect with your account. Pdf of their health expenditures to mental health, compared to more than 5 percent for highincome countries. Only 21 articles have alluded to depression in africa, only seven to anxiety, six to suicide, four to addiction, one to psychosis, and none to schizophrenia. Why africa needs to start focusing on the neglected issue of. The gap between the burden of mental disorders and resources. This statement is based on the experiences of mental health societies narrative reports across the country.
Department of mental health and substance dependence, avenue appia 20, 1211 geneva 27, switzerland. South africas mental health policy was last revised in 1997. With rapid urbanization and declines in human contact with nature globally, crucial decisions must be made about how to preserve and enhance opportunities for nature experience. Mental health has historically been neglected on africas health and development policy agenda. Data sources a systematic search of medline, embase, and psychinfo, supplemented by tracking of references from identified articles and personal communications with local researchers. However, it is unusual within a health system to find collaborations between organizations in these. But there are several reasons why countries should pay attention. G als sustainable development 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 public clinic 2% 6% 6% the peoples of africa aspire to a future of good health and wellbeing. Mental health problems in kenya and africa and how their. Although this is changing, african countries are still confronted with so many problems caused by communicable diseases and malnutrition that they. A search for mental health disorders in africa produces just 16. The project is increasing the community mental health workforce in ghana by training new health professionals, and ensuring sustainability by supporting graduates with professional development.
The mental health system in ghana mental health innovation. Available formats pdf please select a format to send. The great majority have no medical services to turn to for help. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the u. Alem2 mental health issues are usually given very low priority in health service policies. In 2012, ghana took a significant step forward in addressing the nations mental health when it passed act 846, also known as the mental health act. Pdf urgent action is needed to address mental health issues globally. Provision of mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services at health. A call to scale up evidencebased services and develop mental health research pdf. Here, we first provide points of consensus across the natural, social, and health sciences on. Why south africa is failing mental health patients and what can be done about it editions. A growing body of empirical evidence is revealing the value of nature experience for mental health. Who comprehensive mental health action plan 2020202030. Literacy is a luxury that many of us take for granted.
The right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, to give it its full name, is not new. Recovery of capacity of involuntary mental health care users to make informed 39. The right to health is a fundamental part of our human rights and of our understanding of a life in dignity. Without developing a language to discuss the problem, avenues to treatment and understanding of the phenomena in an african context remain seriously under the carpet.
The social and cultural aspects of mental health in african societies. As many as one in six south africans suffer from anxiety, depression or substanceuse problems and this does not include more serious conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, according to. Transfer of mental health care users to maximum security facilities 40. David ndetei a leading psychiatrist in kenya says where resources are a constraint, nations should embed mental health service delivery within preexisting community health delivery services. The african textbook of clinical psychiatry and mental health ivi textbooks and the reform of teaching that can go hand in hand with the production of training materials is part of this striving and will help to augment the prestige of the departments and make those who are working in them feel proud and motivated to do even more. Why africa needs to start focusing on the neglected issue. Whos comprehensive mental health action plan 202020 was adopted by the 66th world health assembly. The social and cultural aspects of mental health in.
Check out this bbc world service video featuring our peer therapy program in uganda. The shocking state of mental health in south africa in 2019. Mental health and the development agenda in subsaharan africa. Although this is changing, african countries are still confronted with so many.
Pdf mental illness is considered a silent epidemic throughoutafrica due to substantial financial and systemic challenges. Social stigma has meant that in much of africa mental illness is a hidden issue equated. Mental health problems in kenya and africa and how their perception negatively impacts the provision of care across kenya, theres a terrible secret, hidden from the. Mental health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life. Message of the who regional director for africa, dr matshidiso moeti, on world mental health day, 10 october 2017. Prior to the development of mental hospitals, mental health services were provided through a. In many african countries, mental health issues, including the burden of serious mental illness and trauma, have not been adequately addressed. Dr margaret chan, the who directorgeneral, described the new comprehensive mental health action plan 202020 as a landmark achievement. Global health challenges and local opportunities article pdf available in community psychology in global perspective 12. Dec 04, 2019 having a mental illness significantly increases suicide risk among black teens and adults. In developing countries mental health care generally takes a backseat when it comes to allocating resources. The department of health derives its mandate from the national health act 2003, which requires that the department provide a framework for a structured and uniform health system for south africa. Mental health has a low priority on south africas public health agenda, in spite of the burden attributable to mental disorder.
South africas new mental health care act mhca 2002 was passed in 2002 and promulgated on december 15, 2004. Whos mental health atlas 2014 provides uptodate information on the state of mental health services and systems in countries across the world. The development of mental health services in the eastern cape province is inextricably entwined in south africas colonial history and the racist policy of apartheid. Bridging the mental health gap is achievable even in low resource settings.
Mental illness is often sidelined in south africa due to an inadequate workforce however cost effective interventions and enhanced health systems would enable adequate delivery of mental. Health in general is still a poorly funded area of social services in most african countries 1 and, compared to other areas of health, mental health services are. Mental health problems contribute to hiv acquisition and poor outcomes along the hiv treatment continuum. Africa is a large continent, prone to strife, especially south of the sahara.
Mental health problems ranging from distress to smi are elevated among people atrisk for hiv and those living with hiv. Mental health issues often come last on the list of priorities for policy makers. Surgeon journal 1999, mental health is the successful performance of the mental function resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and providing the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity. Africa has no official mental health policy, its mhca 2002, drives its mental health services and programs. Apr 16, 2020 the south african federation for mental health is the largest national mental health organisation in south africa. Prior to the development of mental hospitals, mental health services were provided through a network of public and mission hospitals. A lack of mental health policy, as well as social stigma have meant that in most part of africa, mental illness is a hidden issue. Social work in mental health 29 chapter 2 social work in mental health. Mental health policy development in africa semantic scholar.
The magnitude, suffering and burden in terms of disability and costs for individuals, families and societies. The african school mental health curriculum materials have been developed in recognition of the need to address the mental health of you people in africa by providing teacher and studentfriendly classroombased resources. Where mortality is still mostly the result of infectious diseases. While mental health care providers in these countries lack the money to expand, buy needed medications, and to find and train sufficient caregivers, the cost. A search for mental health disorders in africa produces just. The customizable 16page book, accompanied by local celebrity audio recordings, ensures that vital health and social messages can be seen, heard, read and understood we started with books on teen suicide prevention, hiv, aids and depression, understanding mental health and have developed over 30 titles, such as tb, malaria, polio, vaccines. The social and cultural aspects of mental health in african. Mar 10, 2015 the world health organization comprehensive mental health action plan pdf for 20 to 2020 outlines targets for member countries, which include updating existing mental health policies and laws, integrating mental health care into communitybased settings, and strengthening evidencebased research. Oct 05, 2016 health authorities in south africas wealthiest province, gauteng, have launched an investigation into the deaths of 37 people with chronic mental illness who died over a fourmonth period.
With studies revealing the poor standing of mental health in south africa, on whom does the onus fall to remedy lack of counselling resources. Recent research by who shows that poverty and mental health are closely linked, and solving a communitys mental health problems may also help to ease poverty. Why africa needs to start focusing on the neglected issue of mental health. This unique mental health program, in which former patients learn how to treat their neighbors for depression, is one of the ways we treat depression in populations that would otherwise have no access to mental health services. Why south africa is failing mental health patients and what. Intervention by members of south african police service treal ment and rehabilitation. Mental health issues are usually given very low priority in health service policies. Prevalence of child mental health problems in subsaharan.
Mental health and the development agenda in subsaharan. Sa federation for mental health mental wellness is our. The way in which these mental disorders are treated has. Ghanas mental health bill has gained the support of doctors, nurses and traditional healers and can serve as a model for other african countries wishing to develop progressive mental health laws that respect international human rights standards. Africa mental health training and research foundation amhrtf is a nongovernmental organization based in kenya, dedicated to research in mental and neurological health as well as substance use research to generate evidence for policy and best practice in the provision of affordable, appropriate, available and accessible mental health services. Africa mental health research and training foundation in. Why south africa is failing mental health patients and. Rural mental health in south africa there is a lack of mental health care services in rural south africa. Norms for mental health services in south africa article pdf available in social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology 417. Indeed, most african countries have no mental health policies, programs or action plans 4,5. The south african federation for mental health is the largest national mental health organisation in south africa. Future research should focus more exclusively on the roles that.
One of the most common mental health issues that leads to suicide is anxiety. In zulu, there is not even a word for depression its basically not deemed a real illness in the african culture. We depend on written communication for information, guidance, and access to heath care information that is why sadag created speaking books and revolutionized the way information is delivered to low literacy communities. Mental health whos mental health atlas series has already established itself as the single most comprehensive and most widely used source of information on the global mental health situation. The status of mental health care in ghana, west africa and signs of progress in the greater accra region. Pdf norms for mental health services in south africa. Having a mental illness significantly increases suicide risk among black teens and adults. Crick lund, debbie bradshaw, joanne corrigall, michelle schneider, dan j. Depression is the most prevalent mental illness in the developing world. The legislation made mental health a major public health issue and identified steps needed to address relevant grounded in the principles of respect for human rights. Many factors including violence, communicable disease, and urbanisation have increased the prevalence of mental disorders in the country. The findings contribute to monitoring the right to mental health in south africa through the identification of barriers to the right to health and by indicating the importance of building monitoring procedures based on the experiences and knowledge of staff involved in mental health care provision. Sa federation for mental health mental wellness is our concern.