Question NW1741 to the Minister of Health

Reply:

1. According to the time periods stated by the question, the information is currently not available because it being handled by various bodies such as those that are responsible for population register and as such the department does not keep this information. Stats-SA which is the health entity supporting us in this area of work, has the report on the official statistics as regards to intentional self-harm (suicide) by gender and age up to 2018. This means that the report for 2019,2020 and 2021 is not yet available.

2. The Department is implementing a number of interventions in collaboration with other stakeholders to address factors that increase the risks for suicide including prevention, education and early intervention. Among others these include:

• The Department has established a training programme for professional nurses and medical doctors on clinical mental health since 2018/19 to enhance early detection, diagnosis, treatment, referral and rehabilitation of mental disorders at Primary Health Care.
• Screening for mental health has been included as part of health care package of services at primary health care to bolster early identification and intervention services
• The Department is continually educating the public on mental health issues using various platforms with special emphasis in July on mental illness and October on mental health, on annual basis to increase public awareness on mental health issues that can contribute to suicide as well as where the public can access mental health services.
• Mental health has been integrated into Integrated School Health Programmes to ensure early identification through screening and referral of learners that need further assessment and management.

• Mental health is being included in the package of services that are rendered by Community Health Care Workers to ensure integration of education, early identification and referral at community level
• The Department is funding the South African Federation for Mental Health to provide mental health advocacy and health promotion interventions. Since COVID-19 the organisation has utilised the funding to run a mental health information and support desk to strengthen access to information on mental health including how and where to access mental health services
• The Department if working closely with the Higher Education and Training sector through providing support to Higher Health organisation to strengthen mental health interventions among students in higher education institutions.

END.