In Conversation With Noluthando Moyana, Afrika Tikkun Child Rights and Youth Advocacy Manager
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July is officially recognized as Mental Illness Awareness Month in South Africa, providing an important opportunity to spotlight the growing mental health challenges facing individuals, families and communities across the country.
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, one in three South Africans will experience a mental health condition during their lifetime. Despite the scale of the challenge, access to mental health services remains limited, particularly in under-resourced communities where residents often face multiple social and economic pressures simultaneously.
This year’s Psychosocial Disability Awareness Month (PDAM) is being observed under the theme “From Institution to Inclusion”, emphasizing the need to move beyond hospital- and clinic-based interventions towards accessible, community-based psychosocial support systems.
Afrika Tikkun argues that South Africa’s mental health system remains largely centred around hospitals and clinics, facilities that are often scarce or inaccessible in many township and underserved communities. As a result, vulnerable families are left to navigate complex challenges such as unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, violence, substance abuse and trauma with limited support.
The need for intervention is underscored by concerning statistics. The National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2023–2030 indicates that only 5% of South Africa’s public health budget is allocated to mental health services. Meanwhile, SADAG reports that suicide accounts for approximately 9% of all teenage deaths in South Africa.
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, one in three South Africans will experience a mental health condition during their lifetime. Despite the scale of the challenge, access to mental health services remains limited, particularly in under-resourced communities where residents often face multiple social and economic pressures simultaneously.
This year’s Psychosocial Disability Awareness Month (PDAM) is being observed under the theme “From Institution to Inclusion”, emphasizing the need to move beyond hospital- and clinic-based interventions towards accessible, community-based psychosocial support systems.
Afrika Tikkun argues that South Africa’s mental health system remains largely centred around hospitals and clinics, facilities that are often scarce or inaccessible in many township and underserved communities. As a result, vulnerable families are left to navigate complex challenges such as unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, violence, substance abuse and trauma with limited support.
The need for intervention is underscored by concerning statistics. The National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2023–2030 indicates that only 5% of South Africa’s public health budget is allocated to mental health services. Meanwhile, SADAG reports that suicide accounts for approximately 9% of all teenage deaths in South Africa.
