Dear Editor
For society to effectively assist those with mental health challenges, it cannot be expected for the health care sector to carry this burden alone. In addition to this, extra focus on preventative measures will be needed going forward to further assist the demand on hospital services.
This became more apparent during a briefing by the provincial Departments of Health and Wellness and Social Development, in which the Standing Committee was able to better understand the roles all stakeholders play in providing mental health services.
Today’s engagement is the first part in ascertaining the collaboration between different departments. This will be followed by a briefing from the Department of Justice, South African Police Service and other stakeholder departments, so that we can further determine how national government functions also impact mental health and psychiatric services in the Western Cape.
Over the past two months, the Standing Committee witnessed how many socio-economic factors placing strain on our health care system when conducting oversight visits to district and psychiatric hospitals in the Metro. As such, this places much stress on staff, patients and infrastructure which has translated in them going beyond their initial designs and mandates in order to serve the community.
These facilities have had to absorb cases of violence, substance abuse, criminality and other societal ills whose root causes are beyond the control of the health care system. For example, between January 2019 and January 2022, 24% diagnosis in relation to mental health in the Metro were substance related. Moreover, Covid-19 has also played a significant role in increasing anxiety, depression and suicides.
It is for this reason why a community-based approach will be essential to improving the mental health of residents. This was confirmed by several hospital CEOs present at the briefing today who added that increases in budget and bed capacity alone will not solve the issue.
Already, primary health care facilities as well as NPOs supported by the provincial Department of Social Department work consistently to institute preventative measures. A Mental Health Steering Committee, chaired by the Head of Department, also meets regularly to provide effective guidance so that interventions are effective.
MPP Wendy Kaizer-Philander says: “With approximately 1 in 4 people seeking assistance, there is a clear unmet need in our system. Owing to the funds from the national government decreasing in the financial years to come, we need to find new ways to ensure that our health care system is able to cope with demand. Going forward we will be engaging more stakeholders and seeking ways to ensure current legislation supports our facilities.”
Regards
Wendy Kaizer-Philander, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Health
