Mental health put in the spotlight
Limpopo Health MEC speaks at a Wold Mental Health commemoration event held in Moganyaka Village.
Limpopo Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego highlighted that mental health remains an essential component of everyone’s overall well-being, emphasising the need for its prioritisation at all levels of the health system.
Mashego further stressed the significance of collaborative efforts between government, traditional leaders, health practitioners, and communities in addressing mental health challenges and the promotion of psychological support services in rural areas.
Mental Health is important to Limpopo Department of Health
The MEC was speaking during the department’s provincial World Mental Health commemoration event held in Moganyaka Village, at Mighty Blues Sports Ground on Monday.
Neil Shikwambana, departmental spokesperson, shared that the commemoration formed part of the department’s broader commitment to promoting mental health awareness, reducing the stigma, and strengthening community-based mental health services across the province.
The campaign was held under the theme ‘Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies’.
Mashego reaffirmed the department’s commitment to advancing mental health services and ensuring that every individual has access to care, treatment, and support in their communities.
“Mental wellness is not a luxury; it is a human right,” Mashego remarked. Shikwambana added that the department remains committed to continuously integrating mental health services into primary healthcare facilities and ensuring that mental healthcare patients receive comprehensive, dignified, and person-centred support.
Rahlagane Traditional Authority supports Mental Health
Kgoshi Kotole Rahlagane of the Rahlagane Traditional Authority and Mayor Given Moimana also attended the commemoration.
Kgoshi Rahlagane lauded the department for extending the campaign to rural communities, highlighting the significance of imparting the valuable information about mental health to the villagers.
“When our community members are mentally healthy, they are more resilient and productive. We appreciate the department’s continued outreach to villages like ours,” Kgoshi Rahlagane concluded.
