A mental healthcare patient at George Masebe Hospital in Mogalakwena, Limpopo, had allegedly been strangled to death by a fellow patient.
The deadly attack had happened in the psychiatric ward during the early hours of Sunday morning.
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Provincial health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said an internal investigation had been launched.
Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba conveyed a message of condolences to the family and friends of the deceased patient.
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During her budget speech in March, Ramathuba had said that mental health challenges had become another pandemic and the current situation had been worsened by the impact of Covid-19.
“Job losses, fear of infection, isolation/quarantine, loss of loved ones and divorce are some of the factors that have increased the level of depression to a stage where it is now manifesting by the increase in the number of suicide cases and intimate partner violence. It is against this background that as a department, we have adopted a campaign under the theme ‘Be kind to your mind’.”
Mopani and Waterberg had already launched this community approach to assist those struggling with mental health challenges.
She explained:
READ: SA experienced surge in mental health patients during the lockdown – new report
The Health MEC had cautioned that until such time when people treat mental healthcare as a priority like they do other medical conditions, we would continue to tail off as a nation, starting with healthcare providers.
According to the latest Mental State of the World report, South Africa has been identified as the lowest-ranked country based on mental well-being.
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The report also revealed how the mental health of younger generations, which grew up in an internet-dominated and inequitable world, had plummeted.
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