The newly unveiled Mental Health Museum at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Tshwane showcases the tools used to treat patients in its early days.

The museum building, which was constructed more than a century ago in 1920, is located at the main entrance of the hospital.

Inside, historical pictures of the hospital line some of the walls, while some of the rooms display old psychiatric equipment ranging from typewriters to a straitjacket. The artefacts are some of the old equipment collected by some of the staff members that were used in the hospitals and hold significance, as they are part of the history of the hospital.

At the unveiling ceremony, Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the official launch coincides with the 131st anniversary of the hospital's inception in the late 1800s. 

“This museum, the second of its kind in our nation, is not just a proof of our progress but a symbol of hope for countless individuals whose lives have been touched by mental health challenges. It is a repository of stories, a refuge of understanding and proof to the enduring strength of the human spirit,” she said.

“In this place, we pay homage to the pioneers of psychiatric care who, 131 years ago, took the first steps towards providing solace and healing to those in need.”

Beulah Schoonwinkel, who joined Weskoppies Hospital in 1984 as a junior professional nurse, said she has over the years come to appreciate the history that surrounds her every day and the need to preserve it for generations.

“This museum has been a personal dream for me. I hope that the opening of this museum will succeed in preserving a little bit of the great history of Weskoppies Hospital. The house that we identified for the purpose of a museum is a beautiful building in its own right and was built in 1920 for the medical superintendent,” She said.

The hospital is situated on 150 hectares of land.

Schoonwinkel said during the years the hospital has undergone several name changes and was eventually renamed Weskoppies hospital in 1947. 

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the museum embodies the principle of de-stigmatisation.

“It invites us to confront misconceptions and preconceived notions about mental health, replacing them with understanding, empathy and compassion. It provides a space for individuals, families and communities to engage with this crucial aspect of our wellbeing in a meaningful and informative way,” she said.

She said significant progress has been made in ensuring quality mental health services and regulating treatment and rehabilitation practices.

“Weskoppies Psychiatric hospital plays a critical role as the tertiary referral centre for a network of hospitals, conducting 72-hour assessments, and serving regional, tertiary and academic hospitals in the Tshwane region. Its influence stretches beyond provincial borders, accepting referrals for forensic mental observations and state patients from provinces such as Mpumalanga and North West.”

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the hospital is also a vital training ground for students in psychiatry from esteemed institutions like the University of Pretoria, Sefako Makgatho University of Health Sciences and Gauteng College of Nursing.

In response to growing demands, the department is proactively working to enhance resources for mental health services, focusing on increasing acute beds.

“Currently, Weskoppies Hospital is commissioned for 1,067 beds, with 778 of them in use.

"The waiting period for acute mental healthcare user admissions referred from 72-hour assessment facilities has been reduced to about three days. Similarly, the waiting time for forensic mental observations of accused people referred by courts has significantly decreased from about 24 months to less than eight months within the last year.

"These measures align with our commitment to safeguard the basic human rights of this vulnerable group at all costs.”

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the museum stands as a triumphant symbol in the ongoing battle against the stigma attached to mental health services and the degrading treatment often endured by mental healthcare users.

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