Changes On Way For Mental Health Decree
Plans to review the Mental Health Decree (2010) are currently underway with suggestions flowing in from stakeholders.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services organised a mental health stakeholder’s consultation workshop earlier this week where suggestions were made.
The National Mental Health Decree was monitored and amendments to reflect changes were further discussed.
Minister Jone Usamate confirmed that suggestions were made by the participants but are largely to do with grammatical errors.
“There will perhaps be one inclusion to ensure that medical directors are punishable by law if they do not carry out their roles defined in the Mental Health Decree 2010,” Mr Usamate said.
“There are a few areas in which more clarity may be required, and there has been a suggestion that this be dealt with by regulation.
“A case in point those who are admitted to St Giles Hospital under the Presidential Order (Mental Treatment Act) and now remain at St Giles with no clear criteria as to their ongoing status.”
Mr Usamate stressed that mental illness and mental health problems in general were treatable.
“The chances of people being returned to normalcy are higher if people are treated early,” Mr Usamate said.
“Talk to someone you trust if you’re feeling that something about the way you think or feel is not the normal you, find positive ways of dealing with problems, make it a habit to ask a friend, your colleague and family members how they are feeling.”
Help is also provided through the Ministry of Health’s Stress Management Clinics and also from Lifeline Fiji and Empower Pacific.
