Abstract summary 

Despite significant advances in the understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders in recent years, there remains a good deal of stigma and ignorance in the community. In order to increase awareness of psychiatric disorders in South Africa, we initiated a Mental Health Information Centre at the University of Stellenbosch. In this report, the first 500 calls to the centre are described.A routine component of the service delivered by the Mental Health Information Centre is the gathering of data from callers. Data gathered from callers was collated and analysed.Callers from all areas of South Africa made use of the centre, asking for information about depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other mental health issues. Interventions included the mailing of pamphlets, referrals to general practitioners and mental health care professionals, and other forms of help. Most callers experienced significant satisfaction with the service.Psycho-education is an increasingly important component of psychiatric care. A mental health information centre may be a relatively inexpensive way of providing psycho-education to a large section of the community. Further research is necessary to determine the efficacy of such interventions.

Authors & Co-authors:  Stein D J DJ Wessels C C Van Kradenberg J J Emsley R A RA

Study Outcome 

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