The shortage of mental health specialists and the limited availability of dedicated child and adolescent services have resulted in a massive treatment gaps across South Africa. In provinces like the Western Cape: one of the country’s better-resourced areas, fewer than 10% of children and adolescents who need mental health care are able to access it. This reality suggests similarly dire conditions across the other regions.
Cape Town - Ahead World Mental Health Awareness Day and with October marking Mental Health awareness month, Waves for Change, with partners, highlighted the major gaps that exist in addressing child and adolescent mental health.
South Africa has about 30 specialists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, the majority of whom work in private practice where access is limited owing to financial constraints.
