The workplace is a mental health double-edged sword

One in three adults in South Africa will most likely experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, according to a member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP), Dr Siki Gwanya-Mdletye.

Dr Gwanya-Mdletye believes that workplaces play a key role in people’s mental health.

She cites the long hours employees spend at work as a contributing factor to this.

Her remarks coincided with the observation of World Mental Health Day, under the theme: “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.”

 

 

“Good work can contribute to better mental health and the workplace itself can play a positive role in improving access to treatment,” Dr Gwanya-Mdletye adds.

She’s urged companies to also find ways to ensure that they provide an environment that is conducive and fosters a positive attitude towards mental health issues.

“The workplace can contribute both positively and negatively to mental health. Work can provide not only a livelihood but meaning, purpose and satisfaction, while unhealthy organisational cultures or exposure to trauma in the workplace can worsen mental illness for vulnerable individuals,” she says.

The specialist psychiatrist says early detection and referral for treatment is key in dealing with the scourge of poor mental health.

“Locating mental health interventions in the workplace also has the benefit of consistency in treatment, since workers go to work most days of the week and workplace health services would be an ally in treatment adherence, as lack of adherence to treatment is a major challenge in successfully treating mental illness,” she says.

Giving a different view, founder and director of PS Debt Management, Paulvia Shiburi, says mental health problems can also be brought on by tough economic conditions.

Social media users have also weighed in on the conversation.

Today is World Mental Health Day… make sure you do something to feed your spirit and soul. Make sure you speak nothing but positivity and think positive thoughts. Self-care is a must today as well, for your mental. In other words, take care of you!

— Kamaya C. (@Kamayadaplugg) October 10, 2024

Today is World Mental Health day.

World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10 October. This year’s theme set by the World Federation of Mental Health is ‘workplace mental health’. The theme highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the… pic.twitter.com/hib5qKQeD0

— Christina Ude (@iamxtynah) October 10, 2024

Happy World Mental Health Day. To those whose minds have been torn apart by relentless anguish, whose hearts carry the unspeakable weight of trauma, and whose souls fight daily to hold on to the last thread of sanity—may your healing rise like dawn after the darkest night.

— 𖣂 (@Mourlustre) October 10, 2024

World mental health day. You deserve the love and light you put into others for yourself as well. You are loved and cherished in every single circumstance. Mental health is important and should be talked about everyday. ❤️‍🩹

— K a y l a xx 🤍loves mgk | LLC🕊️ (@wayhfox) October 10, 2024

Today is World Mental Health Day. Mental health is health, so please take care of it. pic.twitter.com/0ZgArPdya2

— Kathryn Wood (@CGSAEducation) October 10, 2024