sanews - 3 days ago

World Mental Health Day focuses on mental health and substance abuse South Africa’s mental health system is currently facing an increasing challenge due to substance abuse, which is putting immense pressure on public health facilities, emergency services, and mental health professionals. This situation often leads to complex diagnoses that require multidisciplinary care. The Department of Health said addressing substance abuse challenges necessitates enhanced prevention, rehabilitation, and health promotion interventions at all levels of the health system. To this end, the department has decided to observe World Mental Health Day in 2025 by bringing together various stakeholders and individuals who share a common goal to improve mental health and address substance abuse issues. World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October and serves as a reminder of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health. The event will focus on sharing information, best practices, and providing feedback on the impact of current interventions, allowing for necessary adjustments to achieve the desired outcomes. Today, the department is holding a media and mental health stakeholder engagement session to discuss the burden of mental health in South Africa, including the leading contributing factors and recommendations for improving mental healthcare. “Mental health conditions are among the leading causes of disability globally and also impose high costs on households, employers, and economies,” the department said. According to new data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than one billion people are living with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. However, most do not receive adequate care. “This has the potential to inflict huge human and economic tolls requiring a greater investment and action to scale up services to protect and promote people’s mental health.” The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, along with Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, and other provincial MECs for Health, will participate in a panel discussion on mental health. They will be joined by representatives from key organisations, including Shenaaz El-Halabi from the WHO, Cassey Chambers from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, and Professor Solomon Rataemane, who represents the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Mental Health. Health professionals and individuals with lived experiences of mental health conditions and drug dependency will also contribute to the discussion. This session is part of this year’s World Mental Health Day commemorative activities, which will be held under the theme: “Together for Mental Health.” This theme emphasises the importance of collective support and connection in promoting mental health, highlighting how collaboration fosters a sense of belonging. “The theme also highlights the importance of stakeholders working together further to strengthen access to mental health services across the country,” the department explained. The WHO urges all countries to speed up the implementation of their action plans aimed at improving mental health for their populations. This includes integrating mental health services into primary healthcare and general hospital care. The department said the goal is to enhance access to care, reduce the treatment gap, combat stigma, and promote overall mental well-being. The day will start with a walkabout in selected areas within the health facility to showcase some of the progressive interventions and investments that strengthen mental health and substance abuse service provision. The walk-about will also include interactions with frontline health workers who manage substance abuse patients, affected patients to better understand the challenges that they are experiencing, and to collaboratively find solutions. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile Fri, 10/10/2025 - 09:34 13 views

Latest News

Hashtags:   

World

 | 

Mental

 | 

Health

 | 

focuses

 | 

mental

 | 

health

 | 

substance

 | 

abuse

 | 

Sources