Western Cape Health Department officials fear the province may have the highest incidence of mental illness in the country due to high levels of substance abuse.About 75 percent of patients admitted to psychiatric institutions have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
Health Department officials said more institutions are needed as the patient load increases.
The new Somerset Hospital unveiled its bigger psychiatric unit on Tuesday.
The psychiatric unit’s walls are painted stark white and have bright fluorescent lighting.
Patients addicted to tik, dagga, heroin and alcohol share rooms while undergoing treatment.
One patient dressed in a blue gown banged on his room door in a bid for attention.
If there are psychotic mood swings and outburst patients are isolated in a small room with just a mattress on the floor.
The Health Department’s Dr Linda Hering said nurses are trained to deal with dangerous situations.
Some patients stay an average of five and a half days at a facility, but many of the same patients return over and over for treatment.
(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)
