A relevant practical course for mental health care providers in South Africa

Abstract

The South African Mental Health Care Actdefines mental health care provider as a person providing mental health care services to mental health care users and includes mental health care practitioners. Mental health care practitioner means a nurse, psychiatrist or registered medical practitioner, psychologist, occupational therapist or social worker who has been trained at an accredited institution to provide prescribed mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services. For a South African mental health provider to render high-quality mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services, that mental health care provider should have been exposed to theory and practical teaching and learning in Intellectual Disability (ID). One of the most relevant practical courses for intellectual disability in South Africa is offered by the Sunshine Association.