Why affirming treatment for gender questioning youth matters in SA

By Jenna-Lee de Beer-Procter and Pierre Brouard, June 13, 2024

Posted in: Child health, Comment, Focus, Healthcare system, Latest, LGBTI, Mental Health, Spotlight

Gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth has sparked intense debate globally. In South Africa, we need to significantly improve accessibility throughout the country, ensure services are well-resourced, include trained healthcare providers skilled in gender affirming care, and offer comprehensive care that integrates mental health and social services, write Jenna-Lee de Beer-Procter and Pierre Brouard, on behalf of fellow board members of the Professional Association for Transgender Health South Africa.

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Why affirming treatment for gender questioning youth matters in SA

The Cass Review provides guidance on gender-affirming care: SA’s medical community is now at a crossroads

By Janet Giddy, Allan Donkin, and Reitze Rodseth, May 17, 2024

Posted in: Child health, Comment, Focus, InFocus, Latest, LGBTI, Mental Health

The question as to the best approach to providing care for children and young people with gender dysphoria or gender incongruence is complex, contested, and controversial, both in South Africa and globally. Following the release of a major new report in the United Kingdom, it is clear that a change of course is needed in South Africa, argue doctors Janet Giddy, Allan Donkin, and associate professor Reitze Rodseth.

The Cass Review provides guidance on gender-affirming care: SA’s medical community is now at a crossroads

Focus on children, urges president of SA Society of Psychiatrists

By Sue Segar, March 28, 2024

Posted in: Focus, HIV/AIDS, InFocus, Latest, Mental Health

There are serious gaps in psychiatry regarding treatment, prevention and care for children and adolescents in South Africa. Offering solutions, Dr Anusha Lachman tells Spotlight psychiatric services should be offered in ways that are Afro-centric and culturally sensitive.

Focus on children, urges president of SA Society of Psychiatrists

We need to fight for sleep equity in SA, say leading researchers

By Ufrieda Ho, March 15, 2024

Posted in: Focus, HIV/AIDS, InFocus, Latest, Mental Health, Spotlight

Research into the link between disordered sleep and disease show an outsized burden on the most vulnerable. It’s sounding alarms for sleep equity to have a place on the public health agenda, reports Ufrieda Ho.

Tags: featured HIV sleep

We need to fight for sleep equity in SA, say leading researchers

Childhood exposure to violence associated with mental health conditions later in life, experts say

By Thabo Molelekwa, October 18, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, Mental Health

That South Africa has unusually high levels of inter-personal violence is clear from the country’s crime statistics and regular news reports about violent crime. The knock-on effects on the mental health of people in the country are, however, less easy to quantify. Thabo Molelekwa reports on local research showing an association between exposure to violence in childhood and mental health problems later in life.

Childhood exposure to violence associated with mental health conditions later in life, experts say

In-depth: Mental health needs of GBV survivors are not being met – what to do?

By Sue Segar, August 30, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health, Provinces, Western Cape

Survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence (GBV) often require mental healthcare services to deal with the psychological trauma, but these services are often not available in already overburdened shelters and safe houses where resources are limited. Sue Segar visited some shelters and spoke to experts about this unmet need for women and children.

In-depth: Mental health needs of GBV survivors are not being met – what to do?

Analysis: SA’s new mental health plan and the problem of stigma

By Nthusang Lefafa, August 3, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, Mental Health

Mental illnesses and the labels that go with these illnesses are often associated with stigma, which in turn influences health-seeking behaviour and adherence to treatment. Nthusang Lefafa looks at how South Africa’s National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2023 – 2030 addresses stigma and asked some experts for their views.

Analysis: SA’s new mental health plan and the problem of stigma

Hospital Histories: Valkenberg today… and 130 years ago

By Biénne Huisman, July 10, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health

Due to policy shifts and the increased availability of antipsychotic medication, mental healthcare has become decentralised, with most patients being treated in primary and district health facilities nearest to where they live. Only about ten percent of mental health patients are referred to psychiatric hospitals like Valkenberg in Cape Town. As part of Spotlight’s series on hospitals’ histories, Biénne Huisman visited Valkenberg Hospital and found in its fascinating past insight into how our approach to mental healthcare has changed over the years.

Hospital Histories: Valkenberg today… and 130 years ago

In-depth: Concerns over treatment and care for people with schizophrenia not limited to public sector

By Thabo Molelekwa, July 6, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health

South Africa’s shortage of public sector psychologists and psychiatrists has made headlines several times in recent years. This has implications for the treatment of schizophrenia in the public sector. But, as Thabo Molelekwa reports, the picture in the private sector is also far from rosy, with several experts questioning the extent to which medical schemes currently provide cover for people with schizophrenia.

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In-depth: Concerns over treatment and care for people with schizophrenia not limited to public sector

Face to Face: Professor Soraya Seedat on the ‘workings of the brain’ and the realities of psychiatry in SA

By Biénne Huisman, June 7, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, Mental Health

Professor Soraya Seedat is a distinguished professor and head of Stellenbosch University’s psychiatry department. She has penned several hundreds of peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on psychiatric disorders, with a focus on PTSD and anxiety, particularly among children and in resource-constrained settings. Biénne Huisman sat down with her to talk about her work, what drives her, and maintaining a work-life equilibrium.

Face to Face: Professor Soraya Seedat on the ‘workings of the brain’ and the realities of psychiatry in SA

INTERVIEW: Dr Lebogang Phahladira on his journey from studying by candlelight to winning a major schizophrenia research award

By Biénne Huisman, May 29, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, Mental Health

In his Twitter biography, Dr Lebogang Phahladira describes himself as “a rookie clinician-researcher who keeps trying and trying”. This clearly paid off, as Phahladira earlier this month received a major global schizophrenia research award. As part of Spotlight’s coverage on mental health this month, Biénne Huisman spoke to him about growing up in rural Limpopo, his first impressions of city life, and the decision to specialise in schizophrenia.

INTERVIEW: Dr Lebogang Phahladira on his journey from studying by candlelight to winning a major schizophrenia research award

New mental health policy welcomed, but experts concerned over implementation

By Thabo Molelekwa, April 26, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health

South Africa’s long-awaited new National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2023 – 2030 has been published. The previous policy framework expired in 2020. Thabo Molelekwa spoke to Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, and several mental health experts about the new policy framework.