The World Health Organisation, WHO has newly revealed that one out of every six Africans suffer from mental disorder.
The statistics was announced on Saturday by the World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, during a message she delivered on this year’s World Mental Health Day.
In a statement issued by WHO, Moeti is quoted:
“On 10 October 2015, we join the rest of the world in commemorating World Mental Health Day under the theme, ‘Dignity in mental health’.
“The theme draws attention to the crucial need to ensure that dignity is preserved in all aspects of mental health, ranging from care for patients to the attitudes of the general public.
“In the African Region, it is estimated that one out of every six people suffers from some form of mental disorder. Unfortunately, in the course of treatment, some patients are subjected to undignified treatment, such as being chained to trees or beds, locked in a cage, left without food for many hours, deprived from family support and inadequate personal hygiene.”
According to Moeti, mental health patients deserve respect and compassion as they cope with their disease, as it is expected of those who suffer from any other disease.
