Mental health awareness

July is recognised as Mental Illness Awareness Month in South Africa. However, mental health is important no matter the time of year.

Mental illnesses encompass a wide range of conditions that affect individuals' emotional, cognitive and behavioural wellbeing. Mental health disorders come in various forms, such as:

Anxiety disorders
Depression
Bipolar mood disorder
Eating disorders
Personality disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia

Some symptoms of mental health conditions

The signs and symptoms of mental health disorders may differ depending on the condition and the circumstances.

Here are a few examples of symptoms:

Dramatic changes in sleep patterns and appetite
Decline in personal care
Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions
Withdrawal from social activities that the person previously enjoyed
Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity
Uncharacteristic behaviour
Suicidal thoughts

It's important to recognise signs of a possible mental illness in children and teenagers, which include:

Loss of interest and persistent sadness
Being angry or irritated more often
Frequent crying
Spending a lot of time alone
Missing school often
Sudden change in behaviour and school performance.

Teen mental healthcare

Mental health disorders can manifest at a young age, with 50% of mental health conditions starting by age 14, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite this, it goes largely undetected and untreated.

According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), 9% of all teen deaths are due to suicide. SADAG points to a major link between depression and suicide, particularly where the signs of depression are not recognised and treated.

World Health Organization data also shows that depression is the fourth-leading cause of illness and disability among adolescents aged 15 to 19. Anxiety is the ninth leading cause and suicide is the third leading cause of death in this age group. The data also shows that 90% of adolescent suicides take place in low-income or middle-income countries.

It is important that adults, guardians and other adults recognise the signs of a mental health condition in children and teenagers, so that they can have open and honest discussions with their young loved ones who may need help.

In this article, we will look at how TFG Medical Aid Scheme can support you and your loved ones if you need help for depression.

Seeking professional help

If you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness or have suicidal thoughts, or know someone who is struggling with these symptoms, it is important to seek professional help. Your doctor can refer you to a specialist. You can also contact an organisation that supports people who have mental health disorders. We have included some of these details in the next section of this article.

TFG Medical Aid Scheme's mental healthcare support to treat depression

TFGMAS' Mental Health Care Programme gives you and your dependants who are being treated for major depression enhanced support and additional benefits to better manage the condition. The programme promotes the diagnosis and initiation of treatment for major depression. This reduces the fragmented care between mental and physical health, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment.

Qualifying members will have access to the following benefits:

Up to three consultations (virtual or face-to-face) with your enrolling Premier Plus GP, one of which may be claimed as an extended consultation.
Psychotherapy consultations.
- When enrolled by a Premier Plus GP, you have access to antidepressant medicine and have, amoungst other medicines also available depending on your chosen benefit plan, access to medicine in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) class up to a monthly amount of R90.

You can use the Find a healthcare professional tool on our website to find a network psychologist if you need support or treatment. A psychologist can enroll you onto the Mental Healthcare programme. A GP can refer you to a psychologist for psychotherapy sessions or you can find a psychologist and book a consultation.

You can also contact these organisations

Here are the contact details of some of the organisations that support people living with mental health conditions:

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) | www.sadag.org | 0800 567 567

PsychMatters Centre | www.psychmatters.co.za

You can also contact 011 450 3576 or email info@psychmatters.co.za for psychotherapy, parental guidance, group or family therapy, or the Living Legend teen workshop to empower your teen with life skills.

Lifeline | www.lifeline.co.za | 0861 322 322

Childline | www.childlinesa.org.za | 0800 055 555