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A woman cups her hands over her face as a depiction of depression.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) says SA has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. It says companies need wellness programmes to support employees’ mental health.
According to Sadag, South Africa has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, with more than 13,000 suicides each year.
Sadag’s Tracy Feinstein says companies must implement wellness programmes that address and support the mental health needs of employees. She adds that a healthy work environment where staff are encouraged to take mental wellness days, leads to better outcomes for both employees and employers.
“Employers should look at their employee wellness programmes as not just a tick box exercise, but as having wellness days that are driven by the needs of their employees, and to understand the early warning signs of depression and how employees can manage their anxiety with mindfulness and meditation. What are those wellness days needed for and what do the employees need when employers ask what they can do to help? It’s a mutual responsibility,” she says.
Mogwale Selepe, a mother and practising psychiatrist who works in a demanding environment, says building a supportive community is essential to being able to show up in all areas of life.
She adds that maintaining open communication with your employer about your personal life changes helps create a space for better understanding and support in navigating one’s career.
“Finding that area of balance either by reaching out to people who are available to assist, speaking to professionals, if you know where to access them and communicating with your bosses. Sometimes when you are in a demanding role, there’s always people who can allow you to delegate tasks to and share the load. When I feel depressed, I plug into the people around me. I speak to my family and I am very transparent with my bosses,” says Selepe.
Feinstein says creating a well-balanced life allows you to show up for the things that nurture your emotional well-being.
“When we look at a work life balance, we need to look at including exercise as a responsibility we all have, starting with a 20-minute walk. It’s also important to look at your sleeping habits and sleep routine, because when you sleep well, you are able to show up and work a solid day, go home and have your detox time. It is incredibly powerful to manage your own mental wellbeing,” she says.
Meanwhile, clinical psychologist Dr Mosa Malema says mental health remains a taboo topic in many communities where stigma prevents people from seeking professional help.
“Culturally, if the approach is very rigid, it can prevent people from receiving holistic care when they actually need it. A person can respond to cultural practices to a certain extent, but they might find they need more help. For example, they might need psychotherapy. Some cultural practices can prevent you from receiving care and can be problematic,” says Malema.
Sadag says fostering a sense of community in the workplace encourages employees to open up and feel acknowledged.
