Schizophrenia-Window-of-Hope.com: development of a psycho-educational internet resource for the South African setting

Psycho-educational programmes for families of persons with schizophrenia have been shown to reduce relapse rates; subsequently reducing the burden on the family as well as health care systems. Although various South African helplines and psycho-educational websites exist, none of these focused specifically on schizophrenia. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group SADAG was approached for assistance to enable us to develop a piggy-back schizophrenia service on their already established helpline. A multidisciplinary mental health team compiled a manual for use by SADAG helpline operators, but owing to the huge amount of information it was realised that the resource would be more efficient if both a helpline and an Internet resource could be created. The website (www.schizophrenia-window-of-hope.com) was then developed with the help of an IT professional. This site represents the first attempt to create an internet-based schizophrenia-specific educational resource for the South African setting. The next step will be to obtain formal feedback from helpline and website users in order to inform the ongoing development of the site

Explanatory models of mental disorders and treatment practices among traditional healers in Mpumulanga, South Africa

Objective: In many traditional belief systems in Africa; including South Africa; mental health problems may be attributed to the influence of ancestors or to bewitchment. Traditional healers are viewed as having the expertise to address these causes. However; there is limited information on their explanatory models and consequent treatment practices. The present study examines traditional healers' explanatory models (EMs) and treatment practices for psychotic and non-psychotic mental illnesses. Method: 4 focus group discussions (8 healers in each group) and 18 in-depth interviews were conducted. Four vignettes were presented (schizophrenia; depression; panic and somatization) and traditional healers' views on the nature of the problem; cause; consequence; treatment and patient expectations were elicited. Results: Traditional healers held multiple explanatory models for psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. Psychotic illnesses appear to be the main exemplar of mental illness and were treated with traditional medicine; while nonpsychotic illnesses were not viewed as a mental illness at all. Additionally; traditional healers do not only use herbs and substances solely from ""traditional"" sources but rather have incorporated into their treatment practices modern ingredients that are potentially toxic. Conclusion: Interventions aimed at increasing the mental health literacy of traditional healers are essential. In addition; investigations of the effectiveness of traditional healer treatment for psychiatric disorders should be conducted