Recognition of mental health in the workplace a critical issue

South Africans are known for their grit, resilience and the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The first workplace well-being report, produced by the Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria (GIBS) in collaboration with October Health, supports this with results that show ‘remarkable levels of fortitude among workers’.

The report, which measured responses from a sample of 500 local participants, revealed that, ‘while workers face many challenges, they have cultivated strong coping mechanisms and support systems that allow them to maintain high levels of overall well-being’.

However, the March 2024 CCMA annual labour conference revealed that mental illness in the workplace leads to decreased productivity, increased sick-related absenteeism, poor work quality, wasted materials, and even compromised workplace safety.

It outlined that good mental health should be a priority for any business, and implementing workplace programmes needs to involve more than just the HR department.

Nadine King, a wellness clinical and quality manager at Life Health Solutions, said it is vital to get buy-in from senior leadership, and make sure conversations about mental health and well-being happen at the board level across the organisation.

“The impact of mental health issues on the workplace includes a decline in productivity, conflict in the workplace, erratic behaviour, lowered concentration, not meeting deadlines and targets, increased absenteeism, late-coming and longer breaks, workplace incidents and accidents,” said King.

She alluded that a good understanding of the Mental Health Care Act, No. 17 of 2002, is necessary when designing and implementing solutions in dealing with mental health-related matters.

“The Act intends to regulate mental health care so the best possible treatment and services are made available,” said King.

Statistically:

• 20% of South Africans will experience a depressive disorder at least once in their lifetime

• 16.5% suffer from common mental health conditions

• One in 6 South Africans suffers from anxiety, depression or substance-use problems

• 23 South Africans will commit suicide each day

• Less than 16% of sufferers receive treatment for mental illnesses

• In South Africa, mental illness, including PTSD, is already common: the prevalence of PTSD in the general population is between 1-9%.

Click here to read the full report: https://www.ccma.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NADINE-KING-CCMA-ANNUAL-LABOUR-CONFERENCE-2024-_PRESENTATION-1.pdf
https://content.gibs.co.za/cmscontent/media/lnqmpcgc/employee-workplace-wellbeing-report-final.pdf

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