SA employees reported being depressed, clinically stressed, generally anxious and experiencing burnout in a recent survey.
Almost 40% of employees surveyed were afraid that they may soon lose their jobs, and close to one in five often have to do two jobs because workers who resign are not replaced.
This was according to a “Working Life” online survey conducted by South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), in the lead up to World Mental Health Day observed globally today. This year’s theme focuses on Mental Health in the Workplace.
The online survey collected over 960 responses.
“Work emerged as a consistent stressor for many survey respondents, regardless of their employment sector, which included education, health, NPOs, finance, government, retail and media,” SADAG reported.
Over half (52%) of respondents have been medically diagnosed with a mental health condition.
Most of these workers are depressed (32%); clinically stressed (25%); generally anxious (18%) and experiencing burnout (13%).
Forty-four percent reported low wages where they were unable to keep up with inflation, although the workplace had marked high turnover rates. Meanwhile, managers often contact employees after hours, and having one worker doing the work of two employees, means ongoing overtime.
About 75% of employees surveyed could not ‘switch off’ after work.
Only 47% of respondents work in organisations where Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) were on offer. For some workers, EAPs only existed on posters and did not provide true psychosocial support services, with one overburdened workplace social worker or psychologist struggling to meet demand.
SADAG founder, Zane Wilson, said more needs to be done at companies in regard to mental health.
“The integration of innovative programmes to ensure that employees are working in a mentally healthy environment, and more Mental Health education will assist employers with an atmosphere of a more productive workforce,” said Wilson.
United for Global Mental Health chief executive, Sarah Kline said a thriving and mentally healthy workforce is the cornerstone of any healthcare system.
“To deliver quality mental and physical health care, we must ensure that healthcare workers themselves have the mental and physical health support they need.”
The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) highlighted that the workplace plays a key role in mental health with at least one in three South African adults likely to experience a mental health disorder in their lifetimes and employed people spending the bulk of their waking hours at work.
Psychiatrist, Dr Siki Gwanya-Mdletye, said: “Good, meaningful work and mentally healthy work environments are beneficial for protecting mental health as well as aiding recovery from mental illness. Prioritising mental health in the workplace not only improves individual employees’ wellbeing but supports organisational performance and economic growth.”
Cape Times