::Welcome to the website of SA Federation for Mental Health ::

	GENERAL INFORMATION One of the largest challenges facing the mental health movement is awareness about services. This is critical in terms of accessibility to treatment facilities and also the prevalence of misconceptions and the isolation of persons with intellectual or psychiatric disability. The purpose of creating awareness about mental well-being is to dispel the myths and stigma attached to these disabilities. The programme intends utilising the media as well as developing various communication materials which are distributed within the communities. Currently, three mental health campaigns are conducted each year. They are: Intellectual Disability Awareness during the month of March; Psychiatric Disability Awareness during the month of July; and Mental well-being / health promotion and awareness during the month of October, with October 10th being celebrated as World Mental Health Day. The promotion of mental well-being is equally important and the focus is on prevention rather than cure through the promotion of healthy lifestyles and other relevant issues. . PROJECTS
	1 . Mental Health Promotion and Awareness (October 2008) Although the 10th October is annually commemorated as World mental Health Day, the campaign is ran throughout the month of October and other months to follow, as a result, focus won’t be on the 10 October only. World Mental Health Day 2008 Theme: MAKING MENTAL HEALTH A GLOBAL PRIORITY: SCALING UP SERVICES THROUGH CITIZEN ADVOCACY AND ACTION. It’s time to reflect and look toward the future. With the final goal of making mental health a global priority in every country – what needs to be changed or what action needs to be taken in order to fulfill that goal? The 2008 WMHDAY material will focus on where we came from and what needs to be done yet for the future. We will highlight different levels of advocacy and its role in creating change and the need for scaling up services so all people have access to information, personalized treatment, and resources to assist them in all aspects of their recovery. 2008 Campaign Information Section ONE – An Overview of Mental Health Advocacy and Citizen Action Section TWO – The State of Global Mental Health Section THREE – The Role of NGOs Section FOUR – The Role of Consumer and Caregiver Movements Section FIVE – Scaling Up Services: A Call to Action To find out more about the campaign, please click here to download more information.

	3. Psychiatric Disability Awareness (July 2008) THEME: “Reclaiming the dignity of Mental Health Care Users” Slogan: “Through my rights, I am not different despite my illness” Objectives: To inform/ orientate the public and health care providers on the prominent provisions of the mental Health Care Act. To raise on-going awareness and to inform the public on the Human Rights of persons with mental illness. To get the commitment of the South African Police Service to abide by their role as per Section 40 of the mental Health Care Act. To identify and act upon programmes that support and promote rehabilitation of persons with mental illness in the community. For more information on the campaign, the planned activities and how to get involved, please contact Lindiwe at the National Office: +27 11 781 1852 or e-mail lindiwe@safmh.org S A Federation for Mental is launching its annual Mental Illness Campaign during the month of July. This is a coordinated effort to promote awareness about mental illnesses and to continue in the quest to ensure that persons with metal illness are understood by the broader society and are dealt with in a fair and dignified manner. In terms of section 40 of the Mental Health Care Act, 2002 the police service is a significant role player in the admission of persons with mental disabilities into treatment facilities. They play a vital part in assisting when intervening with people who have mental illness in country. While many people with mental health problems may seek help voluntarily, there are some who may require involuntary admission for care and rehabilitation. These individuals may suffer psychosis, where their lives and the lives of other people may be in danger. Families of these individuals and the community may find it difficult to manage the situation, for instance, transporting the person to the nearest medical facility where they can be assisted. That is when the police may be of help in intervening as per Section 40 of the Mental Health Care Act, 2002. As a result, the SA Federation for Mental Health has partnered with the National South African Police Services in order to ensure that their role as per Section 40 of the Mental Health Care Act (2002) is implemented.