A deaf child in the family : a preliminary study of the social-emotional impact of deafness on parenting and family life in Cape Town

Includes bibliographical references.This study documents hearing parents' experiences of the impact of deafness on raising their deaf children during the preschool years. It focuses on their experience of health services for their child. The study population of 20 children was drawn from parents with children under 6 years of age diagnosed with moderate to profound loss of hearing at the Developmental Ciinic, Red Cross Chiidren’s Hospital, Rondebosch; Cape Town. Data was collected from 2 sources, namely a semi-structured interview, which was analysed for themes, and a questionnaire, which measures parental stress, communication difficuities, and experience of professional support

A deaf child in the family : a preliminary study of the social-emotional impact of deafness on parenting and family life in Cape Town

Includes bibliographical references.This study documents hearing parents' experiences of the impact of deafness on raising their deaf children during the preschool years. It focuses on their experience of health services for their child. The study population of 20 children was drawn from parents with children under 6 years of age diagnosed with moderate to profound loss of hearing at the Developmental Ciinic, Red Cross Chiidren’s Hospital, Rondebosch; Cape Town. Data was collected from 2 sources, namely a semi-structured interview, which was analysed for themes, and a questionnaire, which measures parental stress, communication difficuities, and experience of professional support

Participation of people with psychosocial disability in mental health policy development in South Africa

This study addressed the following question: What are the barriers and strategies to support the participation of South Africans with psychosocial disability in mental health policy development in South Africa? A systematic literature review (objective 1) addressed the question: ""What supports people with psychosocial disability to participate in national mental health policy development?"" The WHO Checklist for Mental Health Legislation, the WHO Checklist for Mental Health Policy and Plan, and domain 4 of the World Health Organisation Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS) were completed, and 96 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders were conducted, to assess current stakeholder, mental health legislation and policy support for the participation of people with psychosocial disability in South Africa (Objective 2). Nvivo-7 software was used to analysis qualitative data, using a framework analysis approach to data analysis and interpretation. These interviews were also used to ascertain the views of 56 of the 96 South African stakeholders' involved in mental health services, on environmental barriers to the participation of people with psychosocial disability in mental health policy development in South Africa (objective 3). The remaining 40 interviews with people with psychosocial disability documented their lived experience of barriers to their participation in policy development, and highlighted their priorities for policy development (Objective 4). Eleven key informants involved in leadership roles in peer led organisations for people with psychosocial disability in Africa were interviewed to inform understanding of opportunities for supporting people with psychosocial disability to participate in mental health policy development (Objective 5). The findings of objectives 1-5 were triangulated to inform the development of a conceptual framework for supporting South Africans with psychosocial disability to participate in mental health policy development (objective 6). The framework proposes the need for social transformation to overcome barriers to the inclusion of people with psychosocial disability in society, including as policy participants, support for self-directed agency, and opportunity for meaningful participation in policy development

Barriers to the participation of people with psychosocial disability in mental health policy development in South Africa: a qualitative study of perspectives of policy makers, professionals, religious leaders and academics

BACKGROUND: This paper outlines stakeholder views on environmental barriers that prevent people who live with psychosocial disability from participating in mental health policy development in South Africa.METHOD:Fifty-six semi-structured interviews with national, provincial and local South African mental health stakeholders were conducted between August 2006 and August 2009. Respondents included public sector policy makers, professional regulatory council representatives, and representatives from non-profit organisations (NPOs), disabled people's organisations (DPOs), mental health interest groups, religious organisations, professional associations, universities and research institutions. RESULTS: Respondents identified three main environmental barriers to participation in policy development: (a) stigmatization and low priority of mental health, (b) poverty, and (c) ineffective recovery and community supports. CONCLUSION: A number of attitudes, practices and structures undermine the equal participation of South Africans with psychosocial disability in society. A human rights paradigm and multi-system approach is required to enable full social engagement by people with psychosocial disability, including their involvement in policy development

An assessment of mental health policy in Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Approximately half of the countries in the African Region had a mental health policy by 2005, but little is known about quality of mental health policies in Africa and globally. This paper reports the results of an assessment of the mental health policies of Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The WHO Mental Health Policy Checklist was used to evaluate the most current mental health policy in each country. Assessments were completed and reviewed by a specially constituted national committee as well as an independent WHO team. Results of each country evaluation were discussed until consensus was reached.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All four policies received a high level mandate. Each policy addressed community-based services, the integration of mental health into general health care, promotion of mental health and rehabilitation. Prevention was addressed in the South African and Ugandan policies only. Use of evidence for policy development varied considerably. Consultations were mainly held with the mental health sector. Only the Zambian policy presented a clear vision, while three of four countries spelt out values and principles, the need to establish a coordinating body for mental health, and to protect the human rights of people with mental health problems. None included all the basic elements of a policy, nor specified sources and levels of funding for implementation. Deinstitutionalisation and the provision of essential psychotropic medicines were insufficiently addressed. Advocacy, empowerment of users and families and intersectoral collaboration were inadequately addressed. Only Uganda sufficiently outlined a mental health information system, research and evaluation, while only Ghana comprehensively addressed human resources and training requirements. No country had an accompanying strategic mental health plan to allow the development and implementation of concrete strategies and activities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Six gaps which could impact on the policies' effect on countries' mental health systems were: lack of internal consistency of structure and content of policies, superficiality of key international concepts, lack of evidence on which to base policy directions, inadequate political support, poor integration of mental health policies within the overall national policy and legislative framework, and lack of financial specificity. Three strategies to address these concerns emerged, namely strengthening capacity of key stakeholders in public (mental) health and policy development, creation of a culture of inclusive and dynamic policy development, and coordinated action to optimize use of available resources.</p

Black clinical psychology interns at a 'white' university : their experience of colour during training

Bibliography: leaves 71-74.This study examines whether black clinical psychology interns at a "white" university experience issues during training which they perceive to be colour-related, and suggests ways of dealing with these issues as part of training. The results are based on 22 one-hour semi-structured interviews conducted with four male and three female black ('Coloured', 'Asian' and 'Black') interns drawn from a group of 12 who had completed their first year of the Clinical Psychology Master's programme at the Child Guidance Clinic (CGC), University of Cape Town, between 1976 and 1990. At the time of interviewing four respondents were registered psychologists and three were intern psychologists. Interviews were taped and transcribed verbatim. The data was analysed qualitatively. Emergent themes are: Not feeling good enough, language and articulation, relating to classmates and trainers, working with clients, and talking about black concerns. There was substantial variation between interns within these themes in terms of the perceived impact of colour-related issues during their training. While provision should be made for the black intern who does experience significant effects from racially-related issues during training to work through these, interns (and trainers) should avoid overlabelling training difficulties as racially based. Other suggestions include the following: (a) Preselection information sent to applicants for the course could outline the CGC's informal policy on training interns from all races. (b) Reading and seminars held during orientation could include literature and discussion which would facilitate talking about black concerns. (c) Black staff could be appointed to the clinical training team. (d) Supervisors need to become more aware of the ways in which colour-related issues may affect interns' training, and of ways to facilitate interns' dealing with these issues where necessary. One possible model of the supervisor's role in the development of the intern's professional identity, including black interns, is briefly outlined

History and politics of mental health policy and care in South Africa

This paper starts with a broad historical overview of the influence of colonial rule on shaping the racialised and socio-economic environment which predated and persisted into the adoption of formal apartheid practices, and the mental health and wellbeing related impacts on the people of South Africa. This is followed by a review of policy and service developments within the past 25 years of post apartheid democratic rule in South Africa. Some of the successes and failures of the different policies provided in South Africa are explored. The paper concludes with some emerging trends in policy and practice that will need attention in the coming decades as we seek to improve the mental wellbeing of South Africans, including South Africans living with mental disorders. The paper extrapolates key points of relevance from the South African experience to other contexts experiencing the mental health related impact of colonialism and other current forms of oppression, including ableism, gender discrimination, and others

Hearing Their Voices: Self Advocacy Strategies for People with Intellectual Disabilities in South Africa

This study investigated strategies for people with intellectual disabilities to self-advocate for inclusion of their priorities in social policy processes in South Africa. Method: Self advocacy strategies were identified through a scoping literature review, a review of self advocacy toolkits and semi structured interviews with people with intellectual disabilities and other stakeholders working at non-governmental and disabled people&rsquo;s organisations. These data sources were triangulated to identify strategies to upskill and support young adults with intellectual disabilities to share their opinions and perspectives to deepen the diversity of voices engaged in social policy advocacy. Results: Data triangulation identified three core strategies for self advocacy, in person, written strategies and engagement through social media. Discussion: Inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in civic and political life is crucial, and will only be achieved if self advocates are accepted into the policy-making arena. The cycle of perpetuating exclusion needs to be disrupted, to give people with an intellectual disabilities a say in policy decisions that have an impact on their lives. Conclusion: Adopting strategies which enable the inclusion of the voices of people with intellectual disabilities in civic activities holds potential for diversifying perspectives brought to public participation in policy development and implementation, which is currently primarily the domain of non-disabled citizens