July is Mental Illness Awareness Month. In June, the awareness spotlight was on men’s mental health. If you are concerned about the mental health of someone close to you, Siyanda Zinyanga offers some practical measures.
In a country battling stress, poverty, trauma and stigma, mental health for South Africans has become a silent battle of our time.
Yet there is still confusion between mental health and mental illness. They are not the same.
What’s the difference?
Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It’s about how we think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. People with good mental health can function in daily life, cope with everyday stresses, and contribute to their community.
Mental illness, on the other hand, is a clinically diagnosed condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Examples include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These conditions may require therapy, medication, or other forms of professional treatment.
Archbishop Nkosinathi Ngesi, chair of Makhanda Concerned Residents and leader of the Ethiopian Episcopal Church, has observed that mental illness is common among men and that some mental illness responds to traditional remedies more effectively than to Western medicine.
Who is affected?
Recent research shows that about 16% of South Africans, which means around 16 out of every 100 people, have experienced a mental health issue or problems with alcohol or drug use in the past year. Another study that focused on teenagers living in sub-Saharan Africa found that mental health problems are quite common among young people. Around 27% of teens showed signs of depression, while 30% had anxiety. About 41% had emotional or behaviour problems, and 22% had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which often happens after going through something very scary or painful.
Ngesi has noted that the municipality does not have a policy on mental health. He believes that some of the troubles people deal with, his own included, have been caused by the people they had trusted to govern. Since threats towards him began, he has become suspicious of people. His response? “My training as a soldier tells me I must never run away from my enemy, real or imagined. But in reality, I must also acknowledge my faith, that tells me that I must be on guard and ready for anything,” the veteran of uMkhonto Wesizwe said.
Cost of mental illness
The National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan for 2023-2030 estimates that mental health problems such as depression and anxiety will cause South Africa to lose more than R61.2 billion because people can’t work.
According to Marcel Hitge, a counselling psychologist at Netcare Akeso in Gqeberha, South Africa’s unemployment rate is around 33%, one of the highest in the world. “Perhaps the most obvious impact of being unemployed is the stress caused by financial instability. The lack of security around meeting your basic needs, and possibly those of your family, can trigger a significant anxiety response. Uncertainty around future employment can present another layer of worry and a persistent sense of fear and anxiety,” Hitge said.
Meanwhile, according to the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits University, “A staggering 92% of South Africans living with mental health conditions are not receiving the treatment they need.”
How to protect your mental health during unemployment
Psychologist Marcel Hitge offers some insights on how people can be mentally healthy this month and in the long run.
Spending time with family, friends, and even past co-workers can really help when you’re feeling down. Talk to them about how you’re feeling and going through. Staying connected can give you comfort and strength.
“Supporting mental health starts with how we care for one another,” says American mental health specialist Daniel H Gillison.
The poverty trap
There is also a strong connection between poverty and mental illness, working like a ‘vicious cycle’. People who live in poverty are more likely to develop mental health problems because of the stress of not having enough money, poor health during pregnancy, not having support from others, being exposed to violence, and having worse physical health. At the same time, people who already have mental health problems are more likely to stay in poverty, or fall deeper into it, because they may have to spend more money on health care, lose their jobs, earn less, or feel left out of society due to stigma and discrimination.
Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, former Deputy Minister of Health, has said, “Globally and in South Africa, the Covid-19 pandemic, gender-based and other forms of violence, large numbers of refugees and economic migrants, natural disasters, poverty, and other catastrophes have impacted negatively on mental well-being.”
But there are steps we can take to start a process of self-care. These include:
- Plan your money
Create a simple budget to manage your money and look into any support you can get. If things feel confusing or too hard, ask for help. Knowing where you stand with your money can ease some of your worries. - Move your body
Exercise is great for your mood. Walking, dancing, or any physical activity can help reduce stress and make you feel better overall. Doctors often recommend exercise as part of mental health treatment. Archbishop Ngesi agrees. “I’m feeling on top of the world,” he said. “I’m quite okay, exercising quite a lot from time to time. But,” he admitted, “it’s cold now.” - Manage stress before it grows.
Try deep breathing, meditation or mindfulness. These methods can help you feel calmer and more in control. Focus on what you’re good at and remind yourself of past successes. Staying hopeful and strong is important when life feels uncertain. - Talk to a professional if needed.
It’s normal to feel sad or worried when you’re unemployed. But if these feelings won’t go away, talking to a psychologist, counsellor, or social worker can really help. They can give you advice, listen without judgment, and help you find the best way forward.In Makhanda, you can contact these helpful organisations: -
Fort England Psychiatric Hospital
Location: Institutional Road, Grahamstown
Services: Psychiatric care, outpatient services, inpatient treatment
Tel: 046 603 4200 -
Rhodes University Counselling Centre (for students)
Location: Steve Biko Building
Tel: 046 603 7070
Services: Free counselling and mental health support for registered students -
Childline Eastern Cape
Toll-Free: 08000 55 555
For children and teens dealing with trauma, abuse or mental health challenges -
Department of Social Development – Local Office
Location: Albany Road, Joza
Tel: 046 622 2451
Services: Social workers are available for counselling and referrals -
LifeLine Eastern Cape (Phone support)
24-Hour Crisis Line: 0861 322 322
Support for emotional distress, trauma, and suicidal thoughts
Everyone’s experience is different. What matters most is taking care of your mental health, staying connected with others, and reaching out for help when needed. This tough time can also be a time of growth and learning.
