TEMA’S FOCUS IS YOUTH HEALTH
REALISING the need for psychiatric health led Dr Nkukune Tema to specialise in child and adolescent psychiatry.
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, mental health affects one in three South Africans at some point in their lifetime and 75% of people do not access the treatment they need.
There is a great need for mental health practitioners in South Africa.
There are currently 0.4 social workers, 0.32 psychologists, 0.27 psychiatrists and 9.72 nurses per 100 000 of the population.
Tema’s work includes assessing children and adolescents for psychiatric illnesses.
This can include behavioural problems, academic difficulties, developmental problems and emotional problems.
“Depending on what the problem is, one will have an initial assessment and from there several things can happen,” Tema said.
“We decide what services one will need in terms of intervention. It can be done in one or two sessions. We can then decide to refer you back to an allied profession, for example, a psychologist, occupational therapist or social workers.
“I would see the parent and the child, or individually, and we then come to an agreement [on] … interventions you need.
“The other could be that your condition needs medication and I will then write you a script for medication and if the condition is severe we will decide on admission to a psychiatric hospice.”
Tema matriculated in Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, in 1993.
He studied medicine at Wits University – from 1994 to 1999 – and then went through a year-long internship programme in 2000 followed by community service in 2001, after which he did contract work in psychiatry until 2008 and finally going on to specialise in child and adolescent psychiatry.
The father of two said depending on what a child or adolescent’s condition is, there might be just one session, or if there is medication involved there might be a need for follow-ups to see if one tolerates the medication.
“I liked what psychiatrists do and saw a need for child psychiatry. When a child is diagnosed early, there is a good chance of changing the trajectory development of problems. It is fulfilling to see that change. Sometimes there are things that have happened that one cannot change, especially if they present late.”
Tema said parents who do not comply or adhere to plans discussed in terms of intervention dispirit him sometimes.
“You sometimes find very severe abuse cases or traumatic experiences, these are among the things that get me down.”
Tema’s future plans include getting involved in promoting development services for youth health.
“75% of people don’t access treatment