On October 10, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) South Africa attended the World Mental Health Day (WMHD) commemoration hosted by the National Department of Health. The event took place at Madadeni Hospital in Newcastle within the KwaZulu-Natal Province to mark World Mental Health Day. The primary objective was to foster community unity under the theme "Mental Health is a Universal Human Right. Our minds. Our rights". The event featured a variety of insightful discussions, engaging presentations, and a commitment to addressing pressing mental health issues in South Africa.

WHO supported this activity with provision of awareness and branding material, logistical and technical expertise. The proceedings commenced with an official briefing in the hospital boardroom, bringing together key figures in mental health advocacy and service delivery. Distinguished guests included the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Mathume Joe Phaahla, Deputy Minister Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Ms. Nomagugu Simelane the KwaZulu Natal Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Health, Dr. Sandile Buthelezi Director-General, National Department of Health, and other esteemed officials from government departments and civil society such as Advocate Bongani Majola, the Chairperson for the South African Human Rights Commission. Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, the WHO South Africa Country Representative, was also present, acknowledging the support and significance placed on mental health and psychosocial well-being.

This year's World Mental Health Day celebration provided a platform for global unity, anchored by the theme "Mental Health is a Universal Human Right." Dr. Kaluwa introduced the WHO's tagline, "Our Minds, Our Rights," emphasizing the interconnectedness of mental health with overall well-being.

In South Africa, the entire month of October is dedicated to Mental Health Awareness, focusing not only on public education but also on combating the stigma and discrimination often faced by individuals with mental illnesses.

Dr. Kaluwa acknowledged the substantial gap between the demand for mental health services and their supply, highlighting the disparity in budget allocation, primarily directed towards centralized mental health institutions. This imbalance, compounded by factors like poverty, stigma, and discrimination, impedes access to comprehensive mental health care.

Despite global and regional commitments, challenges persist. Dr. Kaluwa commended the National Department of Health's efforts to incorporate mental health services into the universal health coverage mechanism under the National Health Insurance, addressing the treatment gap, especially among vulnerable populations.

The commemoration event featured a comprehensive program, including an official briefing, exhibition stalls walkabout, and a series of presentations from diverse perspectives. Notable sessions included discussions on the role of communities, faith-based organizations, and traditional health practitioners in promoting mental health.

Following the hospital briefing, delegates embarked on a tour of Madadeni Hospital, including a visit to the psychiatry ward where they interacted with mental health patients. This hands-on experience provided a poignant reminder of the human faces behind the statistics, reinforcing the urgency of addressing mental health challenges.

Musical performances, personal testimonials, and commitments from various stakeholders underscored the multi-faceted approach needed to address mental health challenges in South Africa.

The event concluded with a call for more multi-sectoral efforts to address the social determinants of mental health and a pledge from Dr. Kaluwa to continue supporting mental health access across all levels of care in the country.

This was indeed a rare event where all the senior political principles at both the National and Provincial governments convened around the theme which is a clear testament of the growing policy importance of mental health and the devastating social economic impact occasioned by it poor access.

The WHO intends to extend the discourse to ensure that Mental Health awareness is not just confined to October 10th but that it forms part and parcel of every public health discourse throughout the year in line with the cross cutting nature of mental Health.

As a follow-up to this event, other partners and stakeholders will be holding strategic WMHD events throughout this month all aligned to the theme "Mental Health is a Universal Human Right." WHO will be attending some of them and providing technical support while acting as a catalyst to ensure that Mental Health remains high on the health policy agenda as well as being mainstreamed into other sectors.

Listen to the WHO South Africa podcast on Mental Health here.