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

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

New policies aim to integrate mental health support into HIV services

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, HIV/AIDS, Latest

Research suggests that people living with HIV are more likely to have mental health conditions than the general population. There seems to be consensus that HIV programmes would benefit from including better mental health screening and support services. Two new policy documents – the Mental Health Policy Framework and the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs – have a lot to say about providing such integrated services, but will they result in actual changes on the ground? Thabo Molelekwa reports.

New policies aim to integrate mental health support into HIV services

Pilot programme improving access to mental health services for kids in Khayelitsha

Posted in: Child health, Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health, Provinces

Earlier this year, the annual Child Gauge indicated that child and adolescent mental health services in South Africa are in crisis – mostly due to inadequate resources. How to best provide such services within the constraints of our public healthcare system is an open question. Tiyese Jeranji visited the Michael Mapongwane Community Health Centre in Khayelitsha where a pilot project aimed at improving kids’ access to mental health services is showing encouraging results.

Pilot programme improving access to mental health services for kids in Khayelitsha

Opinion: Mental health screening for people with TB will change lives and boost SA’s TB response

Posted in: COVID-19, Edition 10: Drug-resistant TB, Healthcare system, KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, Mental Health, Provinces, TB, TB

According to some estimates, over a third of tuberculosis (TB) patients have high levels of psychological distress and a quarter have an alcohol use disorder. Following an eye-opening project in KwaZulu-Natal, Atlantic Institute Tekano Fellow Amanda Fononda argues that a diagnosis of an illness (such as TB) should be accompanied by mental health screening for treatment readiness, adherence, and overall well-being.

Opinion: Mental health screening for people with TB will change lives and boost SA’s TB response

Concerns over rise in acute psychiatric admissions in Western Cape

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health, Provinces

There has been an increase in the number of acute psychiatric admissions in the Western Cape since June, adding to the existing pressure on bed capacity in the province’s hospitals. Tiyese Jeranji unpacks the numbers and the provincial health department’s plans to address them.

Concerns over rise in acute psychiatric admissions in Western Cape

In Focus: Unpacking the link between HIV and mental health

Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest

Studies show that people living with HIV are often at a higher risk for depression and anxiety, including a higher risk of suicide. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to mental health practitioners, activists, and people living with HIV to unpack the link between HIV and mental health.