The Mental Health Information Centre of South Africa: a report of the first 500 calls.
BACKGROUND
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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Stein
D J
DJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Wessels
C
C
Van Kradenberg
J
J
Emsley
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007253:Information Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008603:Mental Health; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires