https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(11)61093-3.pdf

Human resources for mental health care: current situation and strategies for action

https://www.who.int/workforcealliance/knowledge/resources/lancet_hrmentalhealth_oct2011.pdf

Global Mental Health 5 Human resources for mental health care: current situation and strategies for action

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(11)61458-X.pdf

Human rights violations of people with mental and psychosocial disabilities: an unresolved global crisis

Background
Mental illnesses are increasingly recognised as a leading cause of disability worldwide, yet many countries lack a mental health policy or have an outdated, inappropriate policy. This paper explores the development of appropriate mental health policies and their effective implementation. It reports comparative findings on the processes for developing and implementing mental health policies in Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia as part of the Mental Health and Poverty Project.

/pdf/mental-health-policy-process-a-comparative-study-of-ghana-4euucsn3lj.pdf

Mental health policy process: a comparative study of Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.

Objective: Stigma plays a major role in the persistent suffering, disability and economic loss associated with mental illnesses. There is an urgent need to find effective strategies to increase awareness about mental illnesses and reduce stigma and discrimination. This study surveys the existing anti-stigma programmes in South Africa. Method: The World Health Organization’s Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems Version 2.2 and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data on mental health education programmes in South Africa. Results: Numerous anti-stigma campaigns are in place in both government and non-government organizations across the country. All nine provinces have had public campaigns between 2000 and 2005, targeting various groups such as the general public, youth, different ethnic groups, health care professionals, teachers and politicians. Some schools are setting up education and prevention programmes and various forms of media and art are being utilized to educate and discourage stigma and discrimination. Mental health care users are increasingly getting involved through media and talks in a wide range of settings. Yet very few of such activities are systematically evaluated for the effectiveness and very few are being published in peer-review journals or in reports where experiences and lessons can be shared and potentially applied elsewhere. Conclusion: A pool of evidence for anti-stigma and awareness-raising strategies currently exists that could potentially make a scientific contribution and inform policy in South Africa as well as in other countries. Key words: Mental Health; Stigma; South Africa; Mental Health Promotion

https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpsy/article/download/54357/42875

Mental Health Stigma: What is being done to raise awareness and reduce stigma in south Africa?

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore health care providers’ attitudes towards people with mental illness within two districts in Zambia. It sought to document types of attitudes of primary health care providers towards people suffering from mental illness and possible predictors of such attitudes. This study offers insights into how health care providers regard people with mental illness that may be helpful in designing appropriate training or re-training programs in Zambia and other low-income African countries. Method: Using a pilot tested structured questionnaire, data were collected from a total of 111 respondents from health facilities in the two purposively selected districts in Zambia that the Ministry of Health has earmarked as pilot districts for integrating mental health into primary health care. Results: There are widespread stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes among primary health care providers toward mental illness and those who suffer from it. These findings confirm and add weight to the results from the few other studies which have been conducted in Africa that have challenged the notion that stigma and discrimination of mental illness is less severe in African countries. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to start developing more effective awareness-raising, training and education programmes amongst health care providers. This will only be possible if there is increased consensus, commitment and political will within government to place mental health on the national agenda and secure funding for the sector. These steps are essential if the country is improve the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, and realize the ideals enshrined in the progressive health reforms undertaken over the last decade.

https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpsy/article/download/70284/58526

J. Mayeya

Papers

Attitudes of primary health care providers towards people with mental illness: evidence from two districts in Zambia

Phase 1 country report: mental health policy development and implementation in Zambia: a situation analysis.

The Mental Health and Poverty Project: Phase 1. Country Report: Mental Health Policy Development and Implementation in Zambia: A Situation Analysis