Noluthando Mchunu
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has urged communities to take mental health seriously and support those experiencing psychological challenges.
Simelane was speaking during the Department’s Isibhedlela Kubantu initiative in KwaXolo, under the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality in Ugu District, south of KZN.
The programme aims to bring essential healthcare services closer to communities.
As October marks Mental Health Awareness Month, Simelane has cautioned against using superstitions to stigmatise and discriminate against people experiencing mental health challenges.
“Sike siyithathe ke ngokuthi into ye mental health into e affect ezinye izizwe. Thina ayisiphathi kanti akunjalo. Into efana ne depression i mental health, i-anxiety i-mental health,” said uSimelane.
She continued, “I-Anxiety ukuthi uthi kungenzeke lutho uvele ube ne panic u panic ube anxious ungazi ukuthi uzokwenzenjani. I-Anxiety ke leyo futhi nayo idalwa i mental health.”
Suicide-attempt visits at public health facilities increased from 36,805 in 2023/24 to 42,385 in 2024/25. Children under 18 accounted for 30% of those treated in 2024/25. These are national figures.
Health experts have identified mental health issues as the single largest motivation to suicided attempts or successful suicide cases.
Cofa ngezansi ukuzwa inkulumo kaSimelane…
