With the prospect of a non-racial democratic society in South Africa in the foreseeable future comes an increased possibility of ‘mental health for all’. Included in the requirements to achieve this are a fundamental commitment from all in the field, and policy leading in this direction. In this article everyone in mental health is challenged, and psychologists in particular, to assist in achieving a society more conducive to mental health and promoting equity in mental health care. It is suggested that psychologists need to be more active in promoting an understanding of mental health (including its relation to social policies) and in influencing government on detrimental psychological effects of political policies. Options through which greater mental health care may become available to all are put forward.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Abel-SmithB. (1990). Health insurance and health for all. Unpublished monograph.
2.
AndrewsG. (1989). Private and public psychiatry: A comparison of two health care systems. American Journal of Psychiatry, 146(7), 881–886.
3.
BigelowD.A.McFarlandB.H. (1989). Comparative costs and impacts of Canadian and American payment systems for mental health services. Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 40(8), 805–808.
4.
BuhrmannM.V. (1977). Western psychiatry and the Xhosa patient. South African Medical Journal, 51, 464–466.
5.
DawesA. (1985). Politics and mental health: The position of clinical psychology in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 15(2), 55–61.
6.
DawesA.R.L. (1986). The notion of relevant psychology with particular reference to Africanist pragmatic initiatives. Psychology in Society, 5, 28–48.
7.
De BeerC.BroombergJ. (1990). Financing health care for all: Is national health insurance the first step on the road to health care for all? Centre for Health Policy. Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand.
8.
Department of National Health and Population Development. (1987). Epidemiological Comments, 14(1).
9.
Department of National Health and Population Development. (1989). Totale Kliniese Personeelstrekte. Pretoria.
10.
Department of National Health and Population Development. (1990). Epidemiological Comments, 16(11).
11.
DommisseJ. (1987). The state of psychiatry in South Africa today. Social Science & Medicine, 24(9), 749–757.
12.
El-GuebalyN.BebchukW.ProsenH. (1985). Payment for psychiatric services under Canada's insurance system. Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 36(6), 628–631.
13.
FreemanM. (1990). Is there a role for traditional healers in health care in South Africa. The Centre for Health Policy. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
14.
GobodoP. (1990). Notions about culture in understanding black psychopathology: Are we trying to raise the dead?. South African Journal of Psychology, 20, 93–98.
15.
HoldstockT.L. (1982). Psychology in South Africa is like an ostrich. Psygram, 22(1), 7–10.
16.
KarlssonE.L.MoloantoaE.K.M. (1984). The traditional healer in primary health care — yes or no?. Continuing Medical Education, 2, 43–47.
17.
LambleyP. (1980). The psychology of Apartheid. London: Seeker & Warburg.
18.
LevinA. (1990). Personal communication.
19.
McIntyreD.E.DoringtonR.E. (1990). Trends in the distribution of South African health care expenditure. South African Medical Journal, 78(3), 125–129.
20.
NellV. (1990). One world, one psychology: ‘Relevance’ and ethnopsychology. South African Journal of Psychology, 20(3), 129–140.
21.
NzimandeB. (1984). Industrial psychology and the study of black workers in South Africa: A review and critique. Psychology in Society, 2, 54–91.
22.
PriceM.de BeerC. (1988). Can privatisation solve the problems in the health sector?. In A national health service for South Africa, Centre for Health Policy, Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand.
23.
Psychological Association of South Africa. (1989). Mental health in South Africa. Report by the Council Committee: Mental Health.
24.
Psychological Association of South Africa. (1990a). Revised constitution for PASA.
25.
Psychological Association of South Africa. (1990b). Mental health under spotlight. Psi Monitor, 3, September.
26.
Psychological Association of South Africa. (1990c). Uiteensetting van rekenings. Psi Monitor, 3, September.
27.
SeedatM.NellV. (1990). Third world or one world: Mysticism, pragmatism, and pain in family therapy in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 20, 141–149.
28.
StrakerG. (1985). The self and its discontents. Inaugural lecture, Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand.
29.
VogelmanL. (1987). Apartheid and mental health. In Apartheid and mental health. OASSSA National Conference, May 1986, 3–12.
30.
World Health Organisation. (1977). Apartheid and mental health care, WHO, Geneva.
