DCS hosts inaugural National Mental Health Summit for healthcare practitioners

Screen Shot 2023-02-14 at 08.56.50As part of ensuring that mental health and well-being of officials and inmates become a priority, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) held a four-day National Mental Health Summit, for health care practitioners consisting of nurses, medical doctors, social and spiritual workers, pharmacists, psychologists and psychiatrists.

The purpose of the summit was to provide an update on the status of mental health care amongst inmates and officials in the Department. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of diseases or disabilities, hence the department has adopted a comprehensive approach in the provision of health care services to its officials and inmates.
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The Mental Health Care Act, (Act No. 17 of 2002) regulates access to and provision of mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services to various categories of mental health care users including mentally ill inmates. Chief Deputy Commissioner (CDC) Incarceration and Corrections, Anna Molepo indicated that this is the first summit that focuses on mental health care in the department. “Our common denominator is inmates; therefore, it is imperative that all health care practitioners come together to engage on issues around legislations and operations and to share knowledge,” said CDC Molepo.

Deputy Director: Health Care Services, Dr Winnie Seaketso, outlining the overview of mental health care amongst inmates in DCS, mentioned that the delivery of comprehensive mental health services and programmes requires a multi-disciplinary approach inclusive of spiritual, psychosocial support, and health care services in order to ensure that the mental health care needs of inmates and officials are addressed.
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The summit had in-depth and robust discussions to address challenges around mental disorders including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia to mention a few. During her presentation, the Director responsible for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, from the National Department of Health, Dudu Shiba stated that mental health is one of those programmes that cut across the mandates of various stakeholders and sectors and said that intergovernmental collaboration at all levels is critical. The department is willing to partner with other external health care specialists and institutions to share knowledge on how to observe and manage officials and inmates with mental disorders.

The National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale addressed the session on 03 February 2023 and stated that it is important to pause, evaluate the work and share experiences to enhance the services rendered by DCS. “This kind of engagements should take place annually as conventions to address different dynamics around mental health care and awareness. We really need to attend to the issues of mental health and well-being of our officials as this will have a domino effect on those under our care as a department,” concluded Commissioner Thobakgale.

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