About mental health

About Mental Health and Mental Disabilities

Mental health

We live in a very health-conscious society. But good health also means good mental health. This is something all of us want for ourselves, whether we think of happiness, or peace of mind, or a sense of fulfilment. Mental health has to do with the quality of our lives and the way that we get along - in our families, at school, at work, and at play.

If we are mentally healthy we can cope better with the stresses in our lives, form good relationships and work productively. We can also help to change our world to benefit and reduce human suffering.

Mental health problems are common in societies through the world. In fact, almost every family is affected at some or other stage. This may be a result of mental or neurological disorders, severe stress or alcohol- and drug-related problems. These problems are a severe burden on most countries in terms of lost productivity, individual suffering, and disruption to family and community life.

The earlier a problem is picked up and the person is given help, the easier it is for everyone involved. It's much better to face up to the fact that there is (or may be) a mental health problem than to pretend it doesn't exist.

Mental illness / Psychiatric Disability

Psychiatric Disabilities are mental and emotional disorders (such as severe depression, schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder) that impair people's ability to cope with their feelings and with the demands of the outside world.

Psychiatric disability is characterised by varying degrees of inappropriate behaviour, communication and understanding, and being out of touch with reality at times. It can affect anyone - and generally starts in adolescence or adult life (though there are exceptions). The onset of mental illness can be sudden or gradual, and the illness can be acute, chronic or intermittent.

There can be a good chance of recovery from a mental illness, following appropriate treatment and support from special day centres, hospitals and rehabilitation groups. Even with medication though, some patients continue to experience unpleasant symptoms and deterioration in their ability to function properly.

Intellectual Disability / Mental Handicap

Intellectual Disability refers to a significant deficiency in people's cognitive or intellectual functioning and an inability to acquire the skills needed to function in society. Whereas in the past intellectually disabled people were frequently institutionalised, community care is becoming the norm.

This is a permanent disability that affects about four people in every 1000 to some degree. It may be caused through damage to the brain or when the brain has not fully developed. Intellectual Disability cannot be cured, but with specialised training, people with this disability can be helped, and progress is possible in coping with the more complex aspects of daily living.

Some persons are able to do unskilled or semi-skilled labour or can even be trained to do highly skilled manual labour and are able to work in the open labour market.

Counselling and support

If you, a family member, friend or colleague has a mental health problem or a mental disability and needs counselling and support, you can telephone Cape Mental Health Society at 021-4479040. Our receptionist will take your contact details and convey your request for help to our social work department. Our services are free to the public, though of course we welcome payment where this is possible.

We have a team of social workers and auxiliary social workers that help our service-users to explore the options that are open to them and to develop life strategies that can help them achieve the highest possible level of mental health and quality of life possible. We also help families to work together and learn to cope with the particular circumstances that arise from having a distressed or disabled person in the home. We are one of the few service-providers that still do home visits.