Dear Editor

As we celebrate World Mental Health Day today, it is crucial that we all work together to ensure that residents are able to protect and strengthen their mental health.

In the Western Cape, and South Africa by extension, we are currently facing a mental health crisis which has been worsened by declining socio-economic circumstances and the ongoing impacts on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since April 2020 to date, there has been an upward trajectory in deaths due to suicide in the province. Of the mental health diagnosis between January 2019 and January 2022, 24% in Metro and 19% in Rural District Hospitals were substance related.

With current estimates stating that 1 in 4 people require assistance with their mental health, there is a clear unmet need in our system. In addition to this, a further R500 million is required by the provincial Department to address the shortfall which shows the need for national government to increase funding towards our mental health programmes.

Despite these pressures, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness continues to show that it cares for residents by providing quality health care. In this financial year:

• An extra R30 million has been provided for additional mental health services.
  R8 million has been allocated so that rural districts are better capacitated. In so doing, this aims to decrease transfers to the Metro.
  Almost R13 million is being used for Psychogeriatric, Child and Adolescent services to ensure that transfers from District Hospitals are faster where infrastructure is available.
  At a primary health care level, 18 registered counsellors, two psychologists and three psychiatrists have also been employed throughout the province.
  While is it clear that we all have a role to play in improving the mental health, we appreciate the efforts of the provincial government to lessen mental illness being experienced in our communities.

As the DA in the Western Cape, we know that ensuring quality service delivery will contribute to ensuring that the wellbeing of our residents is safeguarded and improved.

Regards

Wendy Kaizer-Philander, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Health