South Africa: Communities Shy Away From Psychiatric Institutions

13 October 2010

Overcoming stigma remains a challenge when involving communities in activities at psychiatric institutions, however there are some success stories. Lungi Langa of Health-e News Service spent a morning with the Friends of Valkenberg Trust.

Valkenberg Hospital has managed to break through the stigma and is leading the way in engaging communities. In a tiny office packed with boxes containing everything from tins of beans to panty elastic, the Friends of Valkenberg Trust - a non-profit organisation- facilitates various activities with the aim to support patients and staff.

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