Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the ever-increasing need to address both the underlying causes of mental anxiety and stress, as well as the effective treatment for our collective mental health.
Our mental capacity is effectively what sets us apart as humans, and yet we overlook diagnosis and treatment as if it is something that will self-heal, when it simply cannot.
For any form of physical trauma, seeking medical intervention for the physical wound is a given.
Yet, when it comes to treating the far-reaching mental repercussions, a stigma still remains.
Spike in stress levels
In 2020, the arrival of Covid-19 has only served to showcase, not only our increasing mental fragility, but also the cracks within the country’s mental health service.
A recent survey conducted by Pharma Dynamics polled 1 200 South Africans.
The results were alarming, to say the least.
Of those interviewed, 56% admitted to experiencing higher levels of psychological and emotional distress than before the pandemic. Almost half are experiencing anxiety, 31% suffer from depression, of which 6% have actually contemplated suicide.
While the majority wanted to seek professional help, financial reasons were given for not turning to mental professionals.
Rather, 81% turned to unhealthy food, 22% to anti-depressants, 20% to alcohol, 18% to cigarettes and 6% to smoking cannabis as a way to deal with stress.
Failing systems
Although challenges within the system are being addressed, a report by the Human Sciences Research Council highlighted the biggest concerns in the South African healthcare system.
These included the lack of an officially endorsed mental health policy; the continued low priority of mental health (and therefore funding); limited intersectoral policy integration; stigma and discrimination; and inadequate integration of mental issues with primary healthcare.
The failure of the system was tragically laid out in 2015 when a cancellation of a government contract resulted in some 1 700 mental health patients moved from Life Esidimeni to family care, state-owned facilities and NPOs, many of which were unlicenced.
The move – made to cut costs – was catastrophic. A total of 144 patients died, not to mention the insufferable pain that must’ve been experienced by the other individuals, most of whom had spent their lives in institutions with care.
Time for change
The fatal move of Life Esidimeni should serve as the lowest point in our history of healthcare management, as we work towards prioritising mental health, alongside physical well-being.
Many of the fundamental challenges facing South African society today are rooted in mental health, from orphaned children growing up without food and a nurturing environment, through to gender-based violence. We cannot even begin to address the destructive reality without healing.
Just as government should be prioritising early education and childhood nutrition as a way to meaningfully impact the final matric results, so should it be channelling funding towards mental health treatment as a way to bring about a cohesive, well-adjusted society.
But beyond government, individuals need to take responsibility for their own mental health. Take time for mental replenishment, and never suffer in silence.
And remember, it’s never too late to seek help.
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