scholarly journals An overview of the State Employed Special Interest Group (SESIG) of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) from 2000 - 2012

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Bernard Janse van Rensburg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South African ◽  
Interest Group ◽  
Special Interest ◽  
Psychiatric Inpatient ◽  
The State ◽  
Special Interest Group ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
State Sector

<p><strong>Introduction.</strong> The State Employed Special Interest Group (SESIG) of SASOP was established in Durban during the national congress in September 2000. Issues of concern at the time included: suboptimal physical conditions in state hospitals and clinics; stalling of the essential drug list (EDL) review process; and understaffing and difficulties to recruit and retain mental health medical personnel in the state sector. During the past 2 years, attention was given to liaising with the South African Medical Association (SAMA) as a medical labour organisation; standards for psychiatric inpatient structures, services and care; and scheduling a national SESIG strategic workshop. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods.</strong> Ethics clearance was obtained for a retrospective quantitative review of the demographic and occupational profile of SESIG’s members, as captured by the SASOP database of current and potential members. The investigation included a review of the policies and process by which strategic activities, priorities and measures for progress were identified within the different areas of SESIG’s mandate. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results.</strong> In 2007, 38% (n=144) of the potential total number of stateemployed psychiatrists (380) were paid-up SESIG members; and 53% (n=202) of the potential total number (378) in 2011. The Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Gauteng subgroups had the biggest percentage of members per region in 2007, which changed in 2011 to Northern Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. In 2011, 40% of the total membership were psychiatric registrars. Presentations and discussion during the first national strategic meeting of state employed psychiatrists in 2012 covered: the scope of state sector practice; pertinent policies for state practice; planning per region; teaching and research; accepted principles for care; and strategic mobilisation (details in the supplement of this issue of the SAJP). <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> Eleven position statements were formulated to guide SASOP/SESIG activities during 2012 - 2014, including statements on: national mental health policy; psychiatry and mental health; infrastructure and human resources; standard treatment guidelines and EDL; HIV in children and adults; substance abuse and addiction; community psychiatry and referral levels; recovery and re-integration; culture, mental health and psychiatry; the specialty status of South African psychiatry; and forensic psychiatry.</p>

scholarly journals Conference proceedings of the Transcultural Special Interest Group

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 321-321
Author(s):  
Deenesh Khoosal ◽  
Parimala Moodley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Conference Proceedings ◽  
Interest Group ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Special Interest ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Special Interest Group

A one-day symposium was held at the Royal College of Psychiatrists on 4 October 1994 by the Transcultural Special Interest Group (TSIG) entitled The Practice of Psychiatry in a Multi-Cultural Context’. Speakers included Yvonne Christie of the Regional Race Programme for the NHS Mental Health Task Force, Drs Suman Fernando, Sashidharan, Ndegwa, Nasirullah, and Mahadeshwar.

History of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Women’s Mental Health Special Interest Group

2018 ◽  
pp. 57-72
Author(s):  
Jane Mounty ◽  
Anne Cremona ◽  
Rosalind Ramsay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Interest Group ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Special Interest ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Special Interest Group ◽  
Women’S Mental Health ◽  
Women's Mental Health ◽  
Single Sex ◽  
Role Modelling

This chapter describes the evolution of the Women’s Mental Health Special Interest Group of the RCPsych since its inception in 1996. Themes discussed. include understanding the specific needs of women patients, developing women’s mental health services, and improving the work−life balance of psychiatrists. Support for single-sex accommodation on in-patient wards and supporting carers, ethnic minority groups, and those with gender-specific and non-specific mental health problems are covered. The early establishment of a job-share register, and support for flexible training and working was followed by commitment to the gender equality initiatives of the Royal College, and following the ten-year anniversary, action through mentoring and role-modelling to support women psychiatrists aiming for top positions in their field whether clinical, academic, or managerial. The recent re-emergence of the Group under Dr Nicola Byrne and its goals for the future are described but there is still much work to be done.

Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Anne Hadfield
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
White Supremacy ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
The State ◽  
African National Congress ◽  
Black Consciousness ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
Black Consciousness Movement

The Black Consciousness movement of South Africa instigated a social, cultural, and political awakening in the country in the 1970s. By the mid-1960s, major anti-apartheid organizations in South Africa such as the African National Congress and Pan-Africanist Congress had been virtually silenced by government repression. In 1969, Steve Biko and other black students frustrated with white leadership in multi-racial student organizations formed an exclusively black association. Out of the South African Students’ Organization (SASO) came what was termed Black Consciousness. This philosophy redefined “black” as an inclusive, positive identity and taught that black South Africans could make meaningful change in their society if “conscientized” or awakened to their self-worth and the need for activism. The movement emboldened youth, contributed to the development of Black Theology and cultural movements, and led to the formation of new community and political organizations such as the Black Community Programs organization and the Black People’s Convention. Articulate and charismatic, Steve Biko was one of the movement’s foremost instigators and prolific writers. When the South African government understood the threat Black Consciousness posed to apartheid, it worked to silence the movement and its leaders. Biko was banished to his home district in the Eastern Cape, where he continued to build community development programs and have a strong political influence. His death at the hands of security police in September 1977 revealed the brutality of South African security forces and the extent to which the state would go to maintain white supremacy. After Biko’s death, the state declared Black Consciousness–related organizations illegal. Activists formed the Azanian People’s Organization (AZAPO) in 1978 to carry on Black Consciousness ideals, though the movement in general waned after Biko’s death. Since then, Biko has loomed over the history of the Black Consciousness movement as a powerful icon and celebrated hero while others have looked to Black Consciousness in forging a new black future for South Africa.

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