The National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013-2020*: An important milestone in the transformation of mental health services delivery in South Africa.
Prof Tholene Sodi, Chairperson: Professional Board for Psychology (HPCSA), Pretoria
Ms Dudu Shiba & Mr Sifiso Phakathi, National Department of Health, Pretoria
In June 2013 the National Health Council of South Africa adopted the National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013-2020 (NMHPF and Strategic Plan). This is an important milestone, not only for our country but internationally when one considers that about 60% of countries worldwide have a dedicated mental health policy, with most of these being high income countries (World Health Organization, 2011).
The NMHPF and Strategic Plan was adopted almost at the same time with the World Health Organization Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013 – 2020 which was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2013 (Saxena, Funk & Chisholm, 2013). The two documents complement each other, which means that South Africa is moving in a direction that is in line with the World Health Organization policies in terms of mental health services delivery and systems.
The Policy Framework and Strategic Plan is a culmination of extensive work which included consultations with stakeholders through eight provincial summits and eventually a national mental health summit that was held in April 2012. Stakeholders that participated in the provincial and national summits were drawn from: stakeholder government departments (Social Development, Human Settlements, Labour, Police Services, Correctional Services, Justice, Prosecution Authority and Education); research groups; academia; professional associations and statutory health institutions; the World Health Organization; non-governmental organizations; mental health care user groups; clinicians; traditional health practitioners; pharmaceutical industry; national and provincial departments.
The NMHPF and Strategic Plan has eight key objectives namely; district-based mental health services and primary healthcare re-engineering; building institutional capacity at national, provincial and district levels; surveillance, research and innovation; building infrastructure and capacity of facilities; mental health technology, equipment and medicines; intersectoral collaboration; human resources for mental health; advocacy, mental health promotion and prevention of mental illnesses. These key objectives are based on the declaration (the Ekurhuleni Declaration on Mental Health April 2012) that was adopted by the National Mental Health Summit.
The NMHPF and Strategic Plan lists a number of key activities that should be implemented towards achievement of the eight objectives. These, among others, include: the establishment of district specialist mental health teams; designating selected community health centers and clinics to provide psychological services with appropriate accreditation, equipment, psychological assessment instruments and staffing; making; provision of basic mental health training to key staff at primary health care; establishment of mental health directorates in each of the 9 provinces; establishment of functioning Mental Health Review Boards in all provinces in keeping with the Mental Health Care Act of 2002; ensure the accurate collection and use of the minimum data set for mental health at all levels; establishment of a national mental health research agenda for 2015-2020; building fit-for-purpose mental health inpatient units in all designated district and regional hospitals; and, establishing a national public education programme for mental health (National Department of Health, 2013).
As can be seen from the above key activities, the NMHPF and Strategic Plan provides a good opportunity for the profession of psychology to play a meaningful role in the provision of mental health services in South Africa. It is time for the Professional Board for Psychology, psychology associations, training institutions and other stakeholders to look at the NMHPF and Strategic Plan’s key objectives and to engage in a meaningful dialogue on the role that the different categories of psychology practitioners can play in promoting mental health in our communities.
* To access the National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013-2020, please go to www.health.gov.za/policies.php and go to 2013 Policy Documents.
References
National Department of Health. (2013). National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013-2020. Pretoria, National Department of Health.
Saxena, S., Funk M., & Chisholm, D. (2013). World Health Assembly adopts Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020. Lancet, 381(9882),1970-1971.
World Health Organization (2011). Mental Health Atlas 2011. Geneva: WHO Press.
Last Updated on 23 December 2014 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs