House Chairperson ... [Interjections.] Afrikaans:
Ja, ek kan ook praat.
English:
... three years ago the Human Right Commission, commissioned a report to look into the mental health care status in South Africa. The report, amongst others, found that a rights-based approach to mental health recognises and respects diversity between persons with psychological and intellectual disabilities and broader society, and within a group of people with psychological and intellectual disabilities.
The Life Esidimeni tragedy, for instance, was characterised as a harrowing account of death, torture and disappearance of utterly vulnerable mental health care users in the care of an admittedly delinquent provincial government by the Life Esidimeni arbitrator.
This brings into sharp focus of the Department of Basic Education's preparedness to deal with mental health care in public schools. The Human Rights report correctly recognises the central pillars underpinning mental health care, which includes inclusion and participation. The commission's recommendation is that a properly devised plan must be introduced by government to deal with cases related to stigma and conditions of mental health, including broadening access into schools for mental health care related services such as counselling and therapy is overarching.
We are however disappointed that it took three years after the release of the commission's report for this debate to take place. We support the report. Thank you.