MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: JULY 2008

THEME: "Reclaiming the dignity of Mental Health Care Users"

Slogan: "Through my rights, I am not different despite my illness"

S A Federation for Mental Health is launching its annual Mental Illness Campaign during the month of July. This is a coordinated effort to promote awareness about mental illnesses and to continue in the quest to ensure that persons with metal illness are understood by the broader society and are dealt with in a fair and dignified manner.

Objectives:
- To inform / orientate the public and health care providers on the prominent provisions of the Mental Health Care Act.
- To raise awareness and inform society on the Human Rights of persons with mental illness.
- To get the commitment of the SAPS to abide by their role as per Section 40 of the mental Health Care Act.

In terms of section 40 of the Mental Health Care Act, 2002 the police service is a significant role player in the admission of persons with mental disabilities into treatment facilities. They play a vital part in assisting when intervening with people who have mental illness in country. While many people with mental health problems may seek help voluntarily, there are some who may require involuntary admission for care and rehabilitation. These individuals may suffer psychosis, where their lives and the lives of other people may be in danger. Families of these individuals and the community may find it difficult to manage the situation, for instance, transporting the person to the nearest medical facility where they can be assisted. That is when the police may be of help in intervening as per Section 40 of the Mental Health Care Act, 2002.

As a result, the SA Federation for Mental Health has partnered with the National South African Police Services in order to ensure that their role as per Section 40 of the Mental Health Care Act (2002) is implemented.

For more information on events around the country or what is happening in your area, please contact: Lindiwe Shayi, on 011 781 1852 or visit www.safmh.org.za or e-mail .

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH & WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2008

MAKING MENTAL HEALTH A GLOBAL PRIORITY:
"SCALING UP SERVICES THROUGH CITIZEN ADVOCACY AND ACTION".

The 2008 WMHDAY material will focus on where we came from and what needs to be done yet for the future. We will highlight different levels of advocacy and its role in creating change and the need for scaling up services so all people have access to information, personalized treatment, and resources to assist them in all aspects of their recovery.
Section ONE - An Overview of Mental Health Advocacy and Citizen Action
Section TWO - The State of Global Mental Health
Section THREE - The Role of NGOs
Section FOUR - The Role of Consumer and Caregiver Movements
Section FIVE - Scaling Up Services: A Call to Action

For a full information pack you can contact: Lindiwe Shayi, on 011 781 1852 or visit www.safmh.org.za to download it or e-mail to request the information pack via e-mail.