Child and Adolescent Mental Health in South Africa: Experiences of Black Psychologists

Abstract

This study explored the experiences of Black psychologists working with children and adolescents within the South African context. The purpose of this investigation was to shed light on these experiences, whose insights could contribute to teaching and training as well as to policy developments in relation to child and adolescent mental health in this country. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed for this study. Individual, semi-structured interviews with ten Black psychologists who are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) was the primary data collection method, analysed using thematic data analysis. Eight themes were identified: Perceptions of Psychology and Mental Health; Systemic Influence and Understanding; Parent/Caregiver Psychoeducation; Inter-Professional Collaboration; Professional Competence; The ‘Black Culture’ and Context; Indigenous Knowledge and Practices and Mental Health Resources and Policies in South Africa. Findings indicated the need for promotion of the following aspects: mental health psychoeducation to eliminate negative health-seeking behaviours, professional inter collaboration and overall child and adolescent mental health. Findings further indicated the need for more cultural diversity in psychology training programmes as well as the prioritisation of child and adolescent mental health in government policies. Based on this, it is recommended that schools/clinics be reliable sources of mental health information; inter-professional training that has cultural relevance be offered at tertiary level; and for promotive and intervention programmes to be implemented in schools as a form of psychosocial support for the learners, teachers and the broader community.