Providing Mental Health Services to Survivors: A Kwa Zulu-Natal perspective

Abstract

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established to deal with the history and future prevention of the abuse of human rights in South Africa. It aimed to restore relationships between the state and/or other perpetrators and victims of violence. Nevertheless, the process has highlighted the alarming prevalence of psychological trauma in our society. This paper reports on a study of individuals and/or families who presented their testimonies to the TRC in the Kwa Zulu-Natal and Free State Provinces of South Africa. The participants were asked to complete a semi-structured questionnaire designed by the author and a Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. Most witnesses had recognisable psychiatric disorders. The most common was post-traumatic stress disorder (chronic), followed by either anxiety and mood disorders. The results from this study point to the pervasiveness and seriousness of the sequelae of trauma experienced by individuals and communities (both victims and perpetrators) in South Africa. Health professionals in South Africa have the mammoth task and responsibility to assist in the process of healing and reparation.

Keywords:

• Post-TRAUMATIC Stress Disorder
• Human Rights Violations
• Truth And Reconciliation Commission
• Ethnicity