Keeping to the commitment to increase resources for mental health services in Gauteng, MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko this week opened three centres that will render mental health and rehabilitation services to patients across various facilities. 
These health facilities include the 60-bedded Bertha Gxowa Hospital Mental Health Unit, 20-bedded Helen Joseph Mental Health Ward and the Kopanong Gateway Specialised Mental Health Day Clinic. 
The newly built 60-bedded Bertha Gxowa Mental Health Unit will provide a range of services from voluntary admission, assisted care, emergency mental health services, 72-hour assessment of involuntary mental health care users, and further care, treatment, and rehabilitation. It has a playroom, gala room, TV room and is equipped with furniture that is suitable to create a safe and comfortable situation for patients.
Meanwhile, the 20-bedded Helen Joseph Mental Health Ward will see mental health patients at the facility receiving treatment they require in a private and confidential manner. Previously, the facility struggled to admit mental healthcare users due to a shortage of acute mental health beds. 
The Kopanong Gateway Specialised Mental Day Clinic will render specialised mental health services for the communities of Vereeniging and surrounding areas. Some of the services will include ambulatory outpatient specialist mental health care, psychotherapy, child psychotherapy play therapy, family psychotherapy, occupational therapy services and social work services amongst others.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said that establishment of these units is a key part of the Gauteng Department of Health's (GDoH) efforts to improve mental health services and represents a critical move in reaffirming the rights of mental health care users, where there is an abundance of adequate care facilities and resources.  
"Following the Life Esidimeni incident, we've significantly increased the number of mental health specialists and personnel across Gauteng's districts, with about 300 recruits so far. Our commitment extends to upgrading infrastructure, including mental health care wards and technological enhancements in our hospitals. We gave also invested in mental health infrastructure across the facilities," said the MEC.  
A number of interventions are being implemented by the GDoH to increase resources for mental health which include mental health specialised professionals and infrastructure refurbishment in order to improve access and availability of mental health services in the province.