The Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg, North West, has expressed concerns about the high number of mental illnesses caused by substance abuse that has been recorded over the last 12 months.
The hospital has treated more than 500 patients displaying several mental illnesses over this period and Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital’s acting Assistant Director for Outpatient and Casualty, Tshepo Setlhabe, described mental illness as a condition that involves psychological and emotional well-being and affects how one perceives things.
“The community members are advised to take note of the following signs and symptoms related to mental illnesses; hallucination-seeing or hearing things that do not exist, delusions – false beliefs such as witchcraft, negligence of care – poor hygiene and dirty clothes, insomnia – lack of maintenance of sleep, violence –physical and verbal abuse and roaming around – just walking around without a particular destination.
“It is important that when a person displays personality symptoms related to mental illness, they should be taken to the nearest clinic. In case the patient is violent, community members are advised to call the police for assistance.
“The common condition that is prevalent in the hospital is a substance-induced psychotic disorder with 80% of patients displaying this behavior and dominated by male patients.
“The most commonly used drug used by substance-induced psychosis patients is crystal meth, dagga, and nyaope. The hospital has put in place mechanisms to ensure that health education is promoted to affected patients.
“This is achieved through a multi-disciplinary approach which entails a social worker, psychiatrist, medical officers, nurses, and occupational therapist, however after stabilisation and observation the patient is then referred to other hospitals for further intervention and treatment,” Setlhabe said.
Despite the record of high numbers, Setlhabe said patients with mental illness can recover if the illness is detected and treated early.
“Mental health conditions are one of the conditions that can be treated early and sometimes because of the long effects of it, and as a result of using drugs can end up being a chronic condition. When a person is unable to do things on his own. But once a person is on treatment this particular person can recover,” he said.
