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WORK CAN BE BOTH GOOD AND BAD FOR MENTAL HEALTH

World Mental Health Day 10 October 2024

Woman working using her laptop while sitting on a folding chair

CHILDREN EXPOSED TO TRAUMA AND VIOLENCE THREATEN THEIR ADULTHOOD

Child Protection Week: 26 May - 2 June

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MENTAL HEALTH CONGRESS AIMS TO WIDEN CARE AT COMMUNITY LEVEL

SASOP's incoming president, Dr Anusha Lachman, says mental healthcare continues to be underfunded while mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are on the rise

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RESPONSE: NEWS 24 ARTICLE

The opinion piece on News24 by Nthabi Nhlapo on the Lauren Dickason case was disturbing on so many levels. It demonstrates the strong need for psychoeducation amongst the public... 

Stack of Newspapers

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY: THE UNTOLD BURDEN OF CANCER

With more than 30% of cancer patients diagnosed with depression, the South African Society of Psychiatrists calls for greater awareness of patients suffering from mental health disorders. 

Gold Ribbon

SA'S MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS BETTER FUNDING

In the face of a mental health pandemic in South Africa, the share of the national public health budget allocated to mental healthcare is woefully inadequate

A man pointing at his laptop screen

LIKE PMS BUT WORSE: THE PREMENSTRUAL DISORDER THAT DISRUPTS WOMEN'S LIVES

Three in four women experience premenstrual physical or mood changes

Hugging a Pillow

CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH IN CRISIS

Approximately one in seven children have a treatable mental health condition 

Boy in Doorway

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE INCREASES MENTAL HEALTH STRAIN

A “shadow pandemic” of increased violence against women and girls has followed in the footsteps of the Covid-19 pandemic

Holding Hands

COVID-19'S ONLINE LEARNING AND WORKING SEES INCREASE IN ADHD SYMPTOMS

Increases of up to 80% in time spent in front of screens has seen a rise in ADHD symptoms

Online Class

UNREST IN SA - CHILDREN VULNERABLE TO POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS

The continuous civil unrest, looting and violence gripping parts of our country could see a spike in post-traumatic stress disorder in children.

Child Model

LOCKDOWN BURNOUT IS A RISK

But there are ways to keep your fire burning

Hike

EQUALITY IN MENTAL HEALTH HAMPERED

Equality in mental health hampered by lack of access, lack of investment

Psychologist Session

TRIBUTE TO PROF LYNN SINCLAIR GILLIS

Professor Lynn Sinclair Gillis died on May 24th at home in Cape Town, aged 96.

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BERNARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG: HEALTH PROFESSION ACTIVIST WITH AN ARTIST'S SOUL

He is remembered by his colleagues in the broader medical fields as someone who was not afraid to speak out

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MENTAL HEALTH CARE IS VITAL DURING LOCKDOWN

Stress, anxiety and a sense of isolation amid the global COVID-19 pandemic and South Africa’s current 21-day lockdown can add to psychological distress...

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SA'S FIRST CHILDREN'S BOOK ON ADHD

The book, illustrated by David Griessel, is co-written by Prof Renata Schoeman, a psychiatrist, and the co-author of the South African management guidelines for ADHD, and celebrated author, Refiloe Moahloli.

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TRADITIONAL HEALERS PLAY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN MENTAL HEALTH

With one-third of South Africans experiencing a mental disorder in their lifetime...

Women Practicing Yoga Outdoor

OVERLOADED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Overloaded medical professionals in danger of burnout 

Stressed Man

VANISHING: LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

It is currently estimated that some 30% of adults aged 60 and older will at some stage require medication with psychotropic agents. 

Elderly Couple Practising Yoga

1 IN 6 TEENAGERS WHO USE CANNABIS WILL BECOME ADDICTED

Research has shown that 9% of individuals who experiment with cannabis will become addicted to it. This number increases to 1 in 6 when use starts during adolescence.

Person at Night with Smoke

STRONGER LEADERSHIP AND INCREASED BUDGETS NEEDED

Prof Bonga Chilliza - SASOP's new President

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MEDIA STATEMENT

December 2017

Recovery plan for the Gauteng Department of Health

government office

KETAMINE CAN BE LIFE-SAVING OR LETHAL PSYCHIATRISTS WARN

The anaesthetic drug ketamine can bring life-saving hope for people suffering treatment-resistant major depression or at severe risk of suicide

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DR ANUSHA LACHMAN: PIONEERING CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY IN SOUTH AFRICA

In her groundbreaking role as the first child psychiatrist to lead SASOP, Dr Lachman brings a bold vision and unwavering commitment to transforming the landscape of mental health care, particularly for the youth.

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SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS NOT RECEIVING ESSENTIAL CARE

Schizophrenia, although affecting only about 1% of the population, is a profound mental illness for which over 80% of individuals do not receive the essential mental health care needed.

EEG Procedure

MENOPAUSE CAN IMPACT YOUR MENTAL WELL-BEING

Menopause, a reality for most women around the age of 51, on average, can increase their risk of depression and anxiety.

Daydreaming with a Book

WORLD AUTISM DAY – SASOP CALLS FOR EARLY ACCESS IN LOWER-INCOME SA

Early screening, treatment and education can improve the quality of life for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Doctor and Patient

PREGNANCY AWARENESS WEEK
6-9 FEBRUARY 2023

Depression during pregnancy can harm both mother and child, but treatable

Expecting

FROM PRESCRIPTION TO ADDICTION - YOUR PAINKILLER COULD KILL YOU

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs trusted and seen as “harmless” by patients.

Filling Prescription

HEALTHCARE WORKERS FEAR MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA

The Covid-19 pandemic has sparked a rise in mental health disorders worldwide,[i] with healthcare workers on the frontline among the most affected

Medical Professional

TRADITIONAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALERS ON THE FRONT-LINE OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Mental health professionals have called for greater collaboration between Western medical specialists and African traditional healers

Happy Meditator

TEACHERS AT RISK OF ANXIETY AMIDST PRESSURE AND DISRUPTION

Amidst reports of rising levels of anxiety and depression in children and teenagers, mental health professionals warn against neglecting the wellbeing of teachers

Classroom

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

If you have a loved one with borderline personality disorder (BPD), life can be fraught with crises and conflict. Here is what you should know.

Woman on Window Sill

MENTAL ILLNESS IS THE BIGGEST THREAT OF 2021

Mental health distress is on the rise as the second wave of Covid-19 ripples through 2021

Stressed Woman

HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES CAN DELAY OR PREVENT DEMENTIA

Get off the couch and delay dementia in old age.

Elderly Woman at Gym

COVID-19 ADD PRESSURE TO WEAK MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE IN SA

South Africa’s already strained mental healthcare services now face increased numbers of patients relapsing on treatment along with rising new cases due to the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic

Doctor Holding Patient's Hand

IN MEMORIUM - PROF BERNARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG

Professor Bernard Janse van Rensburg passed away on Thursday 23rd of April 2020 following a massive heart attack a few days earlier.

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MOMS' MATERNAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN TOO

As many as one in five new mothers will experience depression just before or after giving birth...

Feeling Mom's Tummy

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

10 October - Focussing on suicide

Girl Walking in Empty Road

ANXIETY - RATTLING THE 'MASCULINITY' CAGE

Anxiety disorders are ranked as the sixth largest contributor to life-long health concerns worldwide.

Thinking Man on Couch

WORLD AUTISM DAY
2 APRIL

Early diagnosis and intervention crucial

Girls in Classrom

FESTIVE SEASON TRAVELLING

Beware of traumatic brain injury.

Hospital Corridor

WARNING SIGNS OF TEEN SUICIDE

Almost one in ten teenage deaths in South Africa every year are the result of suicide. 

Girl Gazing

HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM

“What have you done to prevent it?” – SASOPs program on human rights for people with mental illness 

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THE SEARCH FOR THE "PERFECT BODY" CAN CAUSE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HARM

South African healthcare professionals have raised the alarm on the long-term health impacts of misuse of weight-loss drugs.

Herbal Pills

ALARMING RISE IN TEENAGE PREGNANCIES

South Africa is witnessing a distressing surge in teenage pregnancies

Pregnant

BREAKING THE SILENCE: MENTAL HEALTH NOT RECOGNISED ENOUGH AMONGST THE DEAF COMMUNITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

September is Deaf Awareness Month

Communicating Through Signs

ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND THE MYTHS OF DEPRESSION

July – Mental Illness Awareness Month 

Prescription Drugs

SELF-HARM - TEENAGERS HURTING THEMSELVES TO REGULATE EMOTIONS

Self-harm is a growing concern amongst teenagers

A girl feeling sad

CHILDHOOD EMOTIONAL ABUSE - A LIFETIME OF INVISIBLE SCARS

More than a third of South African children under the age of 17 suffer emotional abuse and neglect

Sad on Couch

SUICIDE AMONG MEN - STIGMA PREVENTS SEEKING HELP

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death globally and the prevalence amongst men is considerably higher than for women.

Thinking Man

BETTER PROTECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS' HUMAN RIGHTS NEEDED

A “shadow pandemic” of increased violence against women and girls has followed in the footsteps of the Covid-19 pandemic

Patient and Nurse

THE REALITY OF AGEISM

As life expectancies lengthen and the world population of people aged over 65 booms, older people continue to face ageism

Man Reading a Book

FIBROMYALGIA – MISUNDERSTOOD AND MEDICALLY ILL-DEFINED

63% of patients with fibromyalgia suffer from mood, sleep and cognitive disorders, and depression

 Young Woman Contemplating

TRANSGENDER YOUTH AT HIGHEST RISK OF SUICIDE

Transgender individuals are at an increased risk of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse

Man with Make-up

MENTAL ILLNESS DISABILITY IN THE WORKPLACE

The stigma is real.

Modern Workspace

MENTAL HEALTH IS VITAL IN TREATING INFERTILITY 

While infertility has a negative impact on mental wellbeing, its root causes can also lie in mental health disorders

Happy Couple

LAUNCH OF THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS CARE NETWORK

Caring for the Carers by the Carers

Surgeons

LOCKDOWN ALCOHOL BAN - ANXIETY CAN BE MANAGED

Extension of the national lockdown has sparked anxiety about rapidly-dwindling supplies and the prospect of “going dry” ...

Pouring Red Wine in Glass

VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENT TRAUMA IN SA

Physical abuse at the hands of an intimate partner is the most common form of violence experienced by South African women

Stressed Woman

DRIVING CHANGE IN SOUTH AFRICA

A short film by Doctors Without Borders/MSF

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STATEMENT:
CASTER SEMENYA

IAAF proposed rule on testosterone limits for female athletes is medically unethical

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EATING DISORDERS - THE SILENT KILLER

Confident Fit Woman

SHIFT YOUR MOOD

5 Ways to Combat Depression.

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SA WAR ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Abuse of alcohol and drugs causes a multi-billion-rand dent in the South African economy every year, but the remedy is stymied by insufficient funding and unwillingness to accept the latest global thinking on treatment of addiction as a medical condition. 

Inpatient Drug Abuse Treatment

PRESIDENT'S NEWSLETTER

 

July 2018

Read the latest from SASOP President of the Board, Prof Bernard Janse van Rensburg.

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