Mental health as a shared responsibility: working across sectors to finance and improve mental health service integration
1
Anova Health Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
Department of Community Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
3
SIOC-Community Development Trust, Kuruman, South Africa
4
Northern Cape Department of Health, Kuruman, South Africa
5
Centre for Research in Health Systems, University of KwaZulu Natal, eThekwini, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Mental health is a neglected priority in South Africa. Systemic weaknesses in health and social development contribute to limited mental health promotion and a severe treatment gap, and structural determinants remain challenging to address. Mining communities are especially vulnerable, experiencing a lack of economic sustainability, high levels of migration, and poor infrastructure.
METHODS:
The Ke Botlhokwa programme operates in a mining community in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The programme is a rare example of successful intersectoral collaboration, with government (Department of Health), private sector (Sishen Iron Ore Company Community Development Trust), non-governmental (Anova Health Institute) and academic (University of KwaZulu Natal) actors. In 2025, Ke Botlhokwa reached more than 3,000 service users, with hundreds receiving psychotherapeutic support. Central to its approach is sustained investment in community-based mental health care, the capacitation of healthcare providers, integration of evidence-based mental health services into primary healthcare, efforts to address stigma, strong intersectoral partnerships and coordination, and context-specific adaptation. This panel will consist of project representatives from multiple sectors and will share and discuss the foundations of partnerships that can result in strengthened mental health services.
RESULTS:
The panel will discuss: - Mental health viewed broadly as a shared social-development responsibility - The integration of mental health into primary healthcare requires resources, skills, and political will - Building trust and genuine engagement across sectors - The role of the district health management team in coordinating partnerships - How programmes like this can better address structural determinants of health
CONCLUSIONS:
Strong, integrated mental health services have the potential to be transformative for mining and other vulnerable communities. Mental health cannot be contained within health facilities, but is a shared responsibility in communities, and requires strong collaboration and coordination. Lessons on how this can be achieved could strengthen integration in similar settings.
Mental health is a neglected priority in South Africa. Systemic weaknesses in health and social development contribute to limited mental health promotion and a severe treatment gap, and structural determinants remain challenging to address. Mining communities are especially vulnerable, experiencing a lack of economic sustainability, high levels of migration, and poor infrastructure.
METHODS:
The Ke Botlhokwa programme operates in a mining community in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The programme is a rare example of successful intersectoral collaboration, with government (Department of Health), private sector (Sishen Iron Ore Company Community Development Trust), non-governmental (Anova Health Institute) and academic (University of KwaZulu Natal) actors. In 2025, Ke Botlhokwa reached more than 3,000 service users, with hundreds receiving psychotherapeutic support. Central to its approach is sustained investment in community-based mental health care, the capacitation of healthcare providers, integration of evidence-based mental health services into primary healthcare, efforts to address stigma, strong intersectoral partnerships and coordination, and context-specific adaptation. This panel will consist of project representatives from multiple sectors and will share and discuss the foundations of partnerships that can result in strengthened mental health services.
RESULTS:
The panel will discuss: - Mental health viewed broadly as a shared social-development responsibility - The integration of mental health into primary healthcare requires resources, skills, and political will - Building trust and genuine engagement across sectors - The role of the district health management team in coordinating partnerships - How programmes like this can better address structural determinants of health
CONCLUSIONS:
Strong, integrated mental health services have the potential to be transformative for mining and other vulnerable communities. Mental health cannot be contained within health facilities, but is a shared responsibility in communities, and requires strong collaboration and coordination. Lessons on how this can be achieved could strengthen integration in similar settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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