(Volume 4) - Mental Health Disorders - Vula - University of Cape Town

Table 6: Percentage contribution of homicide, road-trafficinjuries, and suicide to total DALYs per province and for SouthAfrica.WesternCapeGautengKwaZuluNatalSouth AfricaHomicide 12.9% 8.3% 4.7% 6.8%Road Traffic 6.9% 4.4% 2.8% 3.7%Suicide 2.3% 1.5% 0% 0%Total % ofALL DALYs22.1% 14.2% 7.5% 10.5%Homicide, road traffic and suicide deaths may be considered proxy measuresof mental disorders. (Figures from Bradshaw et al, 2004)In terms of future trends, global projections indicate that the situation willworsen with depression predicted to be the second leading cause of disabilityworldwide in 2020 (WHO 2004).‣ 30% of adults in the Western Cape will develop a mentaldisorder in their life-time.‣ Homicide, road-traffic accidents and suicide rates can givean indication of the extent of mental illness in the Province:suicides alone are a poor proxy measure.ReferencesBenjamin J. (2006). South Africa steps up the fight against drug abuse.Pretoria News. June 23; p5.Bradshaw D. (2003). Initial Burden of Disease Estimates for South Africa,2000. Cape Town: Medical Research Council.Bradshaw D, Nannan N, Laubsher R et al. 2004. South African NationalBurden of Disease Study 2000: Estimates of Provincial Mortality. CapeTown: South African Medical Research Council.Corrigall J. (2006). Results of scoping exercise on mental health morbiditysurveillance. Provincial Government of the Western Cape. Cape Town.Fielding, D. (2002). Health and Wealth: A Structural Model of Social andEconomic Development. Review of Development Economics. 6(3): 393-414.Herman H & Jane-Lopis E.(2005). Mental Health promotion in Public Health.International Journal of Health Promotion and Education. Supplement: Theevidence of mental health promotion effectiveness: strategies for action. 2:42-46.p.44.19