The study found that south africa s public mental health expenditure in the 201617 financial year was usd615. Schools of law and medicine, university of virginia, va. The policy framework is a reflection of a promise in south africa for a brighter future for people suffering from mental disorders and the attendant. However, in 1997, following the white paper act, the south african government moved to deinstitutionalize mental health care and relegate it to the primary care setting. Barriers to accessing and receiving mental health care in. South africas new mental health care act mhca 2002 was passed in 2002 and promulgated on december 15, 2004.
Pdf in the aftermath of apartheid, south africa has inherited a fragmented, underresourced and. The national health act 61 of 2003 nha is arguably the most important act passed by parliament to give e ect to the right of everyone to have access to health care services. Use of the mental health care act and referral pathways in. Mental health, university of cape town, south africa. Redirected from summary of the mental health act, no. This paper describes an evidence map of different strategies to. Mental health care act 17 of 2002 south african government.
Mar 16, 2017 summary of the mental health care act, no. In south africa, private and public health systems exist in parallel. An analysis of south africaa s mental health legislation. South african scandal after nearly 100 mental health patients. Mental health care act act 17 of 2002 right to care, treatment and rehabilitation, proportionate to mental health status and may intrude as little as possible. Where mortality is still mostly the result of infectious diseases. This third edition of the national health act guide comes at a time of great flux in the health care system and the health policy land scape. The way in which these mental disorders are treated has changed over the years. In south africa, the mental health care act of 2002 outlines procedures for the management of people with mental disorders. Decentralization efforts of mental health care in south africa remain primarily.
Planning for district mental health services in south africa. Mental health system costs, resources and constraints in south. Strategies to strengthen the provision of mental health. South africa has taken some critical steps forward to strengthen its mental health system including reforming the mental health care act 17 of 2002 mhca, the development of the south african national mental health policy framework and strategic plan 202020 mhpf and the adoption of the national health insurance nhi policy 2017 to. The south african federation for mental health is the largest national mental health organisation in south africa. Upcoming research will include the mapping out of residential and.
In a deinstitutionalised mental health care system, those with mental illness require. 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. Mental illness is often sidelined in south africa due to an inadequate workforce however cost effective interventions and enhanced health. Strategies to strengthen the provision of mental health care. 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 system costs, resources and constraints in. Freeman, department of health, pretoria, south africa, dr howard goldman, national. Mental health policy and service guidance package mental. Reporting abuse neglect in mental health care facility. The act sets out the responsibilities of the national, provincial and local government spheres in the provision of health services. For a while, mental health care was mainly institutionalised. Report on exploitation, physical or other abuse, neglect or degrading treatment of a mental health care use r mhca 4.
South africa s mental health policy was last revised in 1997. South african scandal after nearly 100 mental health. Integrating mental health into chronic care in south. In a deinstitutionalised mental health care system, those with mental illness require complex, multidisciplinary and intersectoral care at the primary or community service setting. Collaborative care models for depression, alcohol misuse and schizophrenia. Planning for district mental health services in south. Amended by legal aid south africa act 39 of 2014 from 1 mar 2015. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet. Report on exploitation, physical or other abuse, neglect or degrading treatment of a mental health care use r.
Integrating mental health into chronic care in south africa. Impact of the south african mental health care act no. Recognising that the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 act no. Recognising that health is a state of physical, mental and social well being and that mental health services should be provided as part of primary, secondary and tertiary health services. Local psychiatrists in south africa have raised concerns on implications of. Click on any of the buttons below and a pdf will open in a new window. The policy framework is a reflection of a promise in south africa for a brighter future. Literacy is a luxury that many of us take for granted. A model for community mental health services in south africa. The study found that south africas public mental health expenditure in the.
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. Application for assisted or involuntary care, treatment and rehabilitation example 1 example 2 application by health care provider. Methods a situation analysis was conducted of current communitybased mental health service provision in south africa, which comprise outpatient and emergency services, residential care and day care. Feb 01, 2017 at least 94 patients with mental health issues died after south african authorities moved themfrom hospitals to unlicensed health facilities that were likened to concentration camps, a government. Amended by judical matters amendment act 55 of 2002 from 18 feb 2005. Dismal use of legal safety net for mental health patients. Suvira ramlall, jennifer chipps, maurice mars vol 106, no 6 2016 update on adolescent mental health. We work with individuals, families and communities to achieve the highest possible levels of mental health for all. Recognising that the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 act 108 of. Mar 10, 2015 besides the high unmet need for mental health services, lowincome countries allocate 0. South africa has a 12month prevalence estimate of 16.
Integrating mental health into chronic care in south africa identification for all the disorders was to be achieved through the second phase of the department of health community health worker outreach team training programme, which includes training in identification and referral of people with mental disorders. The study found that south africas public mental health expenditure in the 201617 financial year was usd615. Outbreaksofdiseaseslike thebubonicplague1901,smallpox1912andspanishinfluenza. Many factors including violence, communicable disease, and urbanisation have increased the prevalence of mental disorders in the country. Social values and health systems in health policy and systems research. Sa federation for mental health mental wellness is our concern. At least 94 patients with mental health issues died after south african authorities moved themfrom hospitals to unlicensed health facilities that were likened to. South africa implemented the same, officially in 2004 when the new mental health care act 17 of 2002 came into effect. Department of health 1997a, national health policy guidelines for improved mental health in south africa, department of health, pretoria.
In this act, a provision under a heading referring to the amendment of a specified act amends the act so specified. Africa is a large continent, prone to strife, especially south of the sahara. Original articles impact of the south african mental. Apr 16, 2020 the south african federation for mental health is the largest national mental health organisation in south africa. The archives of the british medical journal and the south african medical journal and universities in south africa were accessed to obtain the. Strategies to strengthen the provision of mental health care at. Service utilisation rates and staffing needs were estimated for two levels of service coverage, using data from the situation analysis, local epidemiological studies and consultation with key. This paper describes an evidence map of different strategies to strengthen the provision of mental health care at the primary health care phc setting, the quality of the evidence, and knowledge gaps. However, the majority of care is provided through specialized psychiatric hospitals close to the capital and servicing only small proportion of the population, with relatively less government provision and funding for general hospital and primary health care based services. South africa struggles to manage mental illness health24. Mental health services in ghana are available at most levels of care. With current policy commitment, the time to act and invest in evidencebased mental health services is now. South africas mental health workforce is woefully inadequate.
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. However, current data indicates that the goal of deinstitutionalization and effective primary mental care has. Framework for district mental health care within the re. Its been eight years since south africas ailing mental health care act was completely revised to better protect the human rights of patients with mental illnesses, thus revealing some horrific systemic and social abuses, but a dim ray of hope is that the safety net can be made to work. While mental health care providers in these countries lack the money to expand, buy needed medications, and to find and train sufficient. Policies and legislation sa federation for mental health. Sa federation for mental health mental wellness is our. Pdf norms for mental health services in south africa. National health act 61 of 2003 south african government. National health act 2003, which requires that the department provide a framework for a structured and uniform health system for south africa. This act will come into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation. The mental health policy and service guidance package was produced under the direction of dr michelle funk, coordinator, mental health policy and service development, and supervised by dr benedetto saraceno, director, department of mental health and substance abuse, world health organization.
The objective of this article is to provide a background for the historical factors that have had an impact on the provision of public sector mental health services. Emergency admission or treatment without consent example mhca 2. In view of the abovementioned challenges and the ambitious endeavors for the future, african leaders of psychiatry have agreed to create the african association of psychiatry and allied professions, in an attempt to coordinate and join efforts in analyzing, planning and promoting the situation of mental health and mental health care in africa. Dec 06, 20 the south african mental health care act was promulgated in 2004. Since the first edition 2008 and second edition 20 of this guide, new strategies, legislation and regulations have been produced to govern matters of health care in south africa. This right is guaranteed by section 27 of the constitution of the republic of south africa. Who mindbank national mental health policy framework and. Service utilisation rates and staffing needs were estimated for two levels of service coverage, using data from the situation analysis, local. The south african mental health care act was promulgated in 2004. The wealthiest 20% of the population use the private system and are far better served. The shift in emphasis to universal primary health care in postapartheid south africa has been accompanied by a process of decentralization of mental health services to district level, as set out in the new mental health care act, no. This paper describes an evidence map of different strategies to strengthen the. This act outlines the duties and responsibilities of all citizens, health workers and police officials in particular with regard to people with mental disorders.
Forms used by townhill hospital kzn department of health. We invite all who are passionate about mental health to join, especially service users. This right is guaranteed by section 27 of the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 the constitution, which places express. Depression is the leading cause of disability throughout the world and is especially prevalent among lowincome african countries, where 75 percent pdf of the people who suffer from mental illness do not have easy access to the mental health care they need besides the high unmet need for mental health services, lowincome countries allocate 0. There are also few organizations that represent the interests of mental health care users. South africa has taken some critical steps forward to strengthen its mental health system including reforming the mental health care act 17 of. Amended by mental health care amendment act 12 of 2014 from 1 jul 2016. The public system serves the vast majority of the population, but is chronically underfunded and understaffed.
978 1283 731 1235 879 1059 189 347 1336 101 1385 29 469 1476 951 459 1191 220 91 648 1238 778 373 1159 1250 577 1454 522 468 1004 627 933 1125 422 911 844 1457 1156 1031 900 688 214 1064 1083 1401 127