Africa-Press – Mauritius. A total of 60 participants, comprising nursing officers, health care assistants and ward assistants, received certificates, today, after following a four-day training in mental health.
A ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, the Executive Director of the Mauritius Institute of Health, Dr Geeta Daby, and other personalities, at the Brown Sequard Mental Health Care Centre in Beau Bassin.
The training was designed to improve the quality of care in mental health and related services, and to promote the rights of individuals with psychosocial, intellectual and cognitive disabilities. Facilitators were psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and psychiatrist nurses/mentors.
At the outset, Dr Jagutpal dwelt on the importance of providing training to healthcare staff so as they could communicate effectively, competently and confidently with patients, caregivers, families and professional colleagues.
“The training programme,” he emphasised, “aims to increase awareness on discrimination and stigma faced by persons suffering from mental health disorders.
Underlining the importance of the four-day programme, the Health Minister pointed out that that it would prepare health care staff to work responsibly in partnership with a mental health team and provide insightful guidance on professional issues to improve approach and practice.
“The healthcare staff will also be able to better respond to persons showing signs and symptoms of mental health illness in an appropriate manner,” he added.
As for Dr Daby, she observed that mental health illness was common among the population worldwide while indicating that one out of eight persons suffered from this illness globally.
“The need for early detection of mental health illness is key to prevent worsening of cases,” she stated.
“This training,” she said, “will therefore help participants accentuate efforts so as to reduce stigmatisation and discrimination against people with mental health conditions.
The topics covered during the training included Dementia; Overview of Mental Health; Depression and Mental Health Care Act; Schizophrenia; Burn Out; Suicide and Suicide Prevention; Understanding and Managing Anxiety; Psychosis; Management and Attitude towards Substance Abusers; Patient and Carer’s Relationship; Examination and Common Psychiatric Symptoms; and Dealing with Aggressive Patients.
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