There is an increase in the number of people suffering from mental disorder in South Sudan, a medical doctor at the Ministry of Health has said.

The remark comes today as South Sudan joins the rest of the world in celebrating the World Mental Health Day.

Dr Atong Ayuel Longar, neurologist at Juba Teaching Hospital, says the hospital has registered big numbers of people who have mental problems.

She was speaking during the Dawn Program on Eye Radio this morning.

“There is an increase in the number but we don’t have the statistics, because most of the people with mental disorder are on the streets,” said Dr Longar.

“Some of them are kept at home, some are taken to traditional doctors, and some are kept in the churches.”

She urged the people whose relatives have mental disorder, not to keep them at home, but take them to the hospital for treatment.

World Mental Health Day, which is supported by the United Nations, is held yearly on October 10 to raise public awareness about mental health issues worldwide.

This event promotes open discussions on illnesses, as well as investments in prevention and treatment services.