Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar has demanded respect from the public towards people who are suffering from Mental Illness.
While visiting Saint Giles hospital as part of World Mental Health Day celebrations, Akbar stressed the importance of family support towards people who have been treated at the mental hospitals.
Akbar says for too long we have not been talking about this issue and people should respect patients especially the ones who are returning to their homes.
She adds that they are working closely with various stakeholders to monitor those who are roaming around the streets.
Acting National Advisor, Mental Health, Doctor Nirvana Karan says the number of people admitted at Saint Giles hospital has increased in the last five years.
Doctor Karan says they have a Adolescent Clinic which caters for patients below 18 years of age before they move on to the adult clinic and then the old age clinic.
In 2011, World Health Organisation estimates revealed that 80,000 Fijians suffered from some form of mental illness.
While in 2012, the figures for suicides were six and a half times greater than the number of deaths caused by dengue, typhoid and HIV/AIDS combined.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations