Mental Health Information Centre Tygerberg

Mental Health Information Centre – Tygerberg

Our Services

• Psychoeducation: We are actively involved in educating clinicians, mental health professionals, and the public on mental health issues, diagnosis, and treatment options.
• Research Collaboration: We conduct and support research efforts in psychiatry, focusing on risk and resilience in mental disorders.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Through various initiatives, we promote mental health awareness and address the stigma associated with mental illnesses.
• Workshops & Training: We host educational workshops and activities for clinicians, students, and the lay public to enhance mental health literacy.
• Media Support: We provide accurate mental health information to the media, assist journalists with articles, and conduct interviews to promote factual reporting.
• Information Services: MHIC offers telephone, web, email, and postal information services, making mental health resources easily accessible.
• Partnerships & Networking: We collaborate with government departments, NGOs, professional organisations, academic institutions, and consumer groups to strengthen mental health initiatives.

Additional Information

Mental illnesses are real, highly treatable conditions that have a profound social and economic impact on South African society. Despite the availability of effective treatments, the WHO estimates that nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek professional help. Barriers such as stigma, discrimination, and lack of awareness prevent many from accessing the support they need.

The MHIC aims to address these challenges by:

• Promoting early diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses
• Reducing stigma through public education and awareness campaigns
• Supporting clinical research trials in collaboration with the MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders

Our Unit has evolved into a cross-university centre, with key researchers based at the University of Stellenbosch, the University of Cape Town (UCT), and Northwest University. Under the leadership of Prof Dan J. Stein, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at UCT, the Unit focuses on anxiety disorders, including PTSD. We foster a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approach to mental health, promote community awareness, and build clinical and research capacities in students and healthcare professionals.