Work can be a significant source of stress and poor mental health, but “good” work can contribute to better mental health, and the workplace itself can play a positive role in improving access to treatment.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks depression as the leading cause of disability and ill-health worldwide. A 2016 study found that lost productivity due to depression-related absenteeism and presenteeism costs the South African economy an estimated R232 billion a year, or 5.7% of GDP. Meanwhile, the WHO estimates the global economic cost of untreated depression at US$1 trillion annually.

With at least one in three South African adults likely to experience a mental health disorder in their lifetimes, the workplace plays a key role in mental health. The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) highlights that the workplace can either support or undermine mental well-being.

The Role of Work in Mental Health

Dr Siki Gwanya-Mdletye, a psychiatrist and SASOP member, emphasises that good, meaningful work and mentally healthy environments benefit both individual employees and the broader economy. As workplaces provide people with a livelihood, they can also offer purpose, satisfaction, and emotional stability. However, unhealthy organisational cultures or exposure to trauma can have the opposite effect.

Speaking ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, Dr Gwanya-Mdletye said that a stronger focus on mental health in workplace health services could help address South Africa’s mental health treatment gap. Currently, 75% of individuals with common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety go untreated.

Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace

The theme for World Mental Health Day this year is “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.” Dr Gwanya-Mdletye highlights that the workplace can be a good setting for structured interventions, allowing employees to access mental health support while continuing to work and stay productive.

However, she cautions that interventions need to go beyond surface-level solutions such as spa days and “feel-good” sessions. Instead, early detection, treatment referral, and ongoing support are essential for effectively addressing workplace-related mental health issues.

Workplace-based interventions offer several benefits, including:

• Early detection and referral for primary-level treatment, improving health outcomes and reducing the need for costly specialist care.
• Consistency in treatment adherence, as employees regularly attend work.
• Retention of employment, allowing employees with mental health challenges to continue earning a living, maintaining independence, and preserving their dignity.

Broadening the Scope of Workplace Interventions

While work-based interventions are crucial, Dr Gwanya-Mdletye acknowledges the limitations in focusing solely on employees, given South Africa’s high unemployment rate. She advocates for responsible mental health initiatives that extend support to employees’ families and communities, where resources permit.

References

1. World Health Organisation (WHO). 2017. "Depression: let’s talk" says WHO. Link.
2. Evans-Lacko, S., Knapp, M. Global patterns of workplace productivity for people with depression. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, Vol. 51, pp. 1525-1537 (2016). Link.
3. WHO. Mental health at work. Link.
4. Herman AA, et al. The South African Stress and Health (SASH) Study. SA Medical Journal, Vol 99, No. 5. 2009. Link.
5. Sorsdahl K, et al. A reflection of the current status of the mental healthcare system in South Africa. SSM - Mental Health, Volume 4, 2023. Link.

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