Berea Government Hospital, through its Psychiatric Unit has been engaged in a one-day educational session, imparting knowledge about mental illness and epilepsy to members of District Child Protection Team (DCPT).

The educational session on mental illness and epilepsy was requested by DCPT members with the aim to acquire knowledge and understand on how to help those in dire need of the medical attention and ways to reduce the stigmatization.

Addressing the DCPT members, Psychiatric Unit Nurse Mosili Makosholo said although some people may take it for granted, almost everyone might have experienced mental illness either directly or indirectly, citing that it is even worse if it can go untreated and they can end up facing stigmatization and discrimination.

Ms. Makosholo said mental illness can be referred to health conditions causing mood disorder or the situation which affects people’s personality, how they think or behave or it can be viewed as a psychological disability.

She further said when a person has a mental illness, they find themselves in a state of mind whereby they do not know what is really happening around them or they are not aware that they need help, citing that those diagnosed with the bipolar disorder are even dangerous to themselves because they experience a high mood of extremely doing things.

“Person diagnosed with bipolar disorder have mood swings from one condition to another, they can become extremely happy and all of the sudden they can become violent or engage in risky behaviours to themselves or other people”, she added.

Ms. Makosholo said some people find themselves in a depressive mood, they do not prefer making friends, they develop anxiety also highlighting that it might have been triggered by exposure to issues like road accidents or any other scary incidents.

She also highlighted that dementia is a common mental illness among elderly people and it also attacks young people although it is not common.

When deliberating on Epilepsy, Sister Adeline Matjeka urged people to refrain from conducting harmful practices while trying to help a person suffering from epilepsy such as splashing cold water on their face or putting a spoon in their mouth and others.

“The first thing to do while helping an epileptic person; first ensure that the place is safe or it is free from obstacles that can endanger or cause them head injuries, but rather let them lay where they have collapsed until they regain consciousness,” she said.

Additionally, Sister Matjeka said after recovery of consciousness they should re-orientate the mind and provide all the necessary support for the epileptic person, then where the need arises; such a person should be taken to the hospital.

She also said another precautionary measure that should be taken when one is epileptic, they should avoid working on the heights or driving and other things that can endanger their lives, adding that they should as well adhere to their prescribed medication.