Durban advocacy group says mental health should be prioritised

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The CEO of the Durban and Coastal Mental Health NPO, Mbonisi Sibisi is appealing to the government to prioritise mental health issues.

The group advocates for the accessibility and inclusiveness of all people affected by different mental health conditions. It is engaging with KwaZulu-Natal residents on Friday through the Psycho-social Disability Month awareness campaign.

Sibisi says the government has not taken the issue of mental health to where it should be because we believe that it should be treated as other diseases.

“We know what happened when there was HIV and AIDS. When there was TB and Covid-19 their interventions were vast. Communities were made aware of these things. Mental health is treated as less of a disease. But research has shown it is impacting a lot of people in our communities.”

Mental health and life coach Khulani Chiliza says he is concerned about the increase in suicide incidents by mental health patients.

“It does have to be a person running down the street doing questionable things. People need to understand that mental can start with a mere small stress like losing a job, a loved one, or family conflicts even those in debt develop mental problems.”

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