With skyrocketing costs of living, an energy crisis that only seems to be getting worse with its dire economic impacts, all against the backdrop of emerging from a devastating global pandemic, it’s no surprise our mental resilience is being challenged to its limit.
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), one in every three South Africans has already or is likely to suffer from a mental-health issue in their lifetime, with 75% unable to access the treatment they need. On the latest Mental State of the World report South African’s mental health quotient (MHQ) was rated among the lowest in the world at 46/100, a drop of 3% from 2020. South Africa also had 36% of its people experiencing emotional distress or struggling with mental health, which is one of the highest figures in the world.
Common mental-health disorders include depression, anxiety and substance abuse. According to Dr Litha Fatsha, Advanced Specialist: Strategic Advisory at AfroCentric Group, the country is now in a mental-health pandemic that was expected to follow shortly after the devastating Covid-19 global pandemic.
Over the last few years, the world has seen a 30% increase in anxiety and depression. According to the AfroCentric’s adjusted clinical groupers (ACG), the mental-health prevalence is 13,3%, while depression is 6,6%. AfroCentric’s robust mental-health strategy has softened the client scheme’s financial risk, which is expected from the mental health pandemic. “Although mental wellness is becoming more accepted in society we are far from where we want to be,” says Fatsha. “People suffering from mental-health challenges do not feel comfortable coming forward and seeking help. We need to break the stigma to break this cycle.”
He says mental health disorders can be identified early on. “Symptoms differ from person to person, so it’s hard to pinpoint stand-out ways to identify mental distress. However, once you feel as if you’re not coping with life the way you had before, and feel extremely overwhelmed or anxious, you may be suffering from a mental health illness.”
Although AfroCentric claims data shows more women are being hospitalised for depression Fatsha says men are less likely to come forward when struggling with mental health. He says the age-old notion that men don’t cry and show no emotion besides anger contributes to this occurrence. “We must start creating an environment where more men feel safe to speak up when facing a mental-health challenge, especially considering the recent high number of suicides by men.”
Fatsha says taking care of yourself is crucial for us to stay healthy and happy, and there are many ways to do this. He recommends the following self-care tips to keep your mental health in check:
•Take care of your physical health: Prioritising physical health plays a crucial role in your mental health. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and regular exercise are essential to maintaining good mental health.
•Practise mindfulness: Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment and self-awareness. Practising mindfulness helps you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. Meditation, yoga and deep breathing are all great ways to practise mindfulness.
•Practise self-compassion: This is essential for mental health. Be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it and remember that it’s okay to make mistakes.
•Set boundaries: This is all about learning how to say no and not taking on things you cannot handle.
Interventions are available to assist those struggling with mental health. To support mental wellness, health group AfroCentric, partnered with the Panda app, provides access to support and mental health resources for its members. The lifestyle wellness app is designed to assist AfroCentric members in making better lifestyle choices holistically. “The Panda app is an exceptional tool which assists people to anonymously connect to a wide array of valuable resources,” Fatsha says.
“If you struggle with mental health challenges I urge you to seek help and not suffer alone. Talk to someone or engage with one of the many online platforms and helplines that exist to get you on the road to mental wellness.”
