Sandile Gwayi
It is estimated that about 80% of Africa’s population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs. As a result of this, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is ensuring the inclusion of Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) in Primary Healthcare activities.
To further ensure their full participation in their communities, 230 traditional healers across the province participated in a series of mental health training workshops from 2 July until 11 July 2024. The workshop aimed to provide them with a deep understanding of mental health and equip them with the skills they need to support clients with mental health disorders, and advise the relevant channels they can receive assessment, counselling and treatment.
Some of the topics that were covered include an overview of common mental health conditions, basic counselling skills, the role of occupational therapy throughout the life stages, the clinical and advocacy work that social workers perform within the district, epilepsy and the clinical management of the condition and mental health service provision at the clinics.
The workshops were attended by different categories of THPs such as diviners, traditional bed attendants, herbalists and traditional surgeons who engaged in robust discussions with the medical professions in various fields including Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Nurses.
Queentin Martin one of the THPs chairpersons was among attendees in Soweto and said that the training has been long overdue as there are some areas which created confusion between the western and traditional practices.
“We now have knowledge that can assist with best practices when it comes to patients who present with mental illness disorders. This also affords us an opportunity to collaborate to provide the best care to our clients,” said Martin.
Rulaine Smith, the Deputy Director for Occupational Therapy in the Johannesburg District Health Services said that the workshop is in line with this year’s Mental Illness Month theme of “access and inclusion: why Community Health is important”, which aims to highlight the role that communities play in ensuring access and inclusion of people with psychosocial disabilities.”
“This was relevant for traditional healers as most of the community members often consult with them first before visiting their healthcare facilities. They are part of our communities and are pivotal in ensuring access and inclusion for users seeking services for mental illness,” said Smith.
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
