Issued by the National Department of Health, Chief Directorate: Communications
13 July 2005
If you or a family member suffers from mental illness, remember that it can be treated and people with mental disability can be rehabilitated.
As with other illnesses, people with mental illness have a right to treatment, care and rehabilitation with respect, dignity and privacy. This is the key message the Department of Health is focusing on during the July Mental Health Month campaign.
During this month the campaign would seek to create awareness on the basic rights of people with mental illnesses so as to protect them from any forms of exploitation, abuse and unfair discrimination.
Studies indicate that mental illnesses are among the leading causes of disabilities worldwide and are more common than cancer, diabetes or heart diseases. It is reported that one in every four person will be affected by a mental disorder at some stage in life.
Of all persons with disabilities, those with a mental illnesses face the highest degree of stigmatisation, unfair discrimination, violation of their human rights, exploitation, abuse and the greatest barriers to accessibility of opportunities. This discrimination results in the majority of mentally ill persons ending up unemployed, not having access to care or education and forced to rely on state grants for the rest of their lives. This places a tremendous financial burden on the state.
In an effort to turn this situation around, the government will pursue a vigorous awareness campaign during July to educate and inform the public on mental illness.
More often persons with mental illnesses are viewed as being unskilled, unproductive, unreliable, violent and unable to handle workplace pressures. Depression has been cited as the most common mental illness that doctors are called upon to diagnose and treat, and, contrary to misconceptions, it responds well to treatment, like many other forms of mental illness.
The Mental Health Care Act No 17 of 2002 seeks to protect the rights and dignity of people with mental illnesses. A call will be made during the cause of the campaign to accommodate people with mental illnesses particularly in the workplace.
Research has shown that work and good family support can be extremely therapeutic to a person recovering from a mental illness. It provides a social support system and the opportunity for the person to regain his/her sense of self-esteem, control and self-worth.
The Mental Health campaign is intended to educate and break down the myths surrounding mental illness. Special attention will be paid to encouraging healthy practices through education and training programmes, as well as to the development and maintenance of working conditions that support and contribute to well-being.
The campaign will culminate in a national celebration in KwaZulu Natal on Thursday 28 July 2005 where Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang would deliver a keynote address. The Minister's address would underscore understanding, open discussion, and access to health services as a first step towards equipping communities with necessary skills and knowledge to support people with mental illness.
Enquiries: Solly Mabotha: 083 678 9860