​Koketso Maraba
 
Studies show that approximately 30.3% of South Africans experience a mental disorder in their lifetime, with 16% experiencing a mental health condition in any given year, while around 92% of individuals with mental health conditions do not receive the treatment they need, highlighting a substantial gap in mental health care.
This is the reason the Gauteng Department of Health's (GDoH) hosted a Mental Health Prayer this Thursday (10 July) at the Johannesburg City Hall.
The day saw various speakers emphasising that mental health is just as important as physical health and that it was important to encourage a culture of openly talking about mental health. 
The GDoH continues to expand mental health services closer to where people live. A multi-disciplinary mental health teams in districts, integrated mental health into primary health care, and are improving youth-friendly services in clinics and schools.
The Department has also undertaken significant refurbishments across several major hospitals, including Edenvale, Dr George Mukhari, and Chris Hani Baragwanath. These upgrades have added 206 acute mental health beds, increasing the provincial total to 1,896 beds. This expansion aims to alleviate overcrowding and improve patient care. 
Through recognising the importance of accessible mental health care, the Department has established District Specialist Mental Health Teams, Clinical Community Psychiatric Teams, and NGO Governance and Compliance Teams in each district. These teams collaborate with clinics, schools, NGOs, and social services to provide early intervention and community-based support. 
Additionally, as the Department recognises that many individuals initially seek help from traditional healers, it trained 230 traditional healers, including diviners and herbalists, in July 2024. These workshops equipped them to recognise mental health issues, offer basic counselling, and refer patients to formal care. 
Schools are another focus. Through the Integrated School Health Programme, learners are now screened, counselled, and referred when needed. This ensures mental health support reaches children and teens early on. 
Gauteng is also leading stigma reduction initiatives. A major seminar in October 2023, themed "Mental Health is a Universal Human Right," empowered healthcare workers and civil society to speak out, challenge stereotypes, and promote inclusive care. 
To address the shortage of mental health professionals, the Gauteng College of Nursing is accredited to train more specialist mental health nurses, helping to meet the growing demand for mental health services.