**5. Conclusions**

The mental health care status of rape survivors diagnosed with PTSD and depression in South Africa should be prioritized and afforded the necessary attention and follow-up care to help reintegrate them back into society. There is a considerable need to improve nursing skills in providing mental health and managing depression and PTSD within the primary health care setting. The training of nurses must target the undergraduate nurses who will be doing forensic nursing diploma by including mental health care management in their curricula. The in-service training must be provided for nurses with mental health care postgraduate diplomas to improve their skills in managing PTSD and depression, particularly in primary health care settings.
