• One of the least treated areas of community health, mental disorders currently affect almost one billion people globally. 
• Approximately three million people succumb to alcohol-related deaths per year and one person every 40 seconds commits suicide.
• 50% of mental health disorders start from the age of 14.
• Access to top-notch mental health care is limited to the privileged few, leaving over 75% of people in low and middle income nations, including South Africa, with untreated mental, neurological and drug addiction conditions.

• Covid-19 saw far-reaching effects of our health systems, economics and civilizations causing communities and families to become strained and fractured. With millions dying, losing their jobs and being denied interaction with others, a significant rise in mental health issues has ensued. 
• The pandemic has sparked and exacerbated severe psychological suffering including signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and dispair and has shown an alarming increase in suicidal tendancies in many industries including healthcare. 
• With the mental health crisis and Covid-19 happening symultaneously, there is an urgent need for all nations to improve their mental health services and support, because without mental health, there is no health at all.

 The fundamentals are that: 

• • South Africa’s mental healthcare resources lack the capacity to meet the demand despite the country’s pressing need.
  • Less than 16% of patients, according to the NGO SADAG, receive treatment for mental diseases within South Africa.
  • During our lifetimes we spend approximately 90 000 hours at work, so it’s a no-brainer that any mental health issues will impact substantially on your productivity levels, in turn affecting the profitability of your employers.
  • South Africa’s workforce is facing an accelerated mental wellness crisis which could lead to increased absenteeism, a decrease in productivity, substandard work quality and a negative attitude amongst employees.
  • According to new research released in 2022 employees who attempt to work despite having a mental disorder cost South Africa seven times as much in lost productivity as employees who choose to be absent during bouts of depression. 
  • This lost productivity is now a condition referred to as “presenteeism”. It has the capacity to affect the financial health of a company and, in the long run, could negatively impact the national economy. 

   

• Compared to absenteeism which comes in at R33 billion, the cost of presenteeism due to mental health is estimated at R235 billion per year – that’s 4,2% of South Africa’s GDP!
• 47,8 million people resigned from their jobs in the US in 2021 due to burnout, stress and a poor work environment. 
• According to recent research, greater numbers of overworked people are quitting their employment in South Africa because of longer workdays, fewer leave opportunities and a toxic environment which lead to mental health issues. This is in keeping with the current global “great resignation” trend. 
• Each year, lost productivity associated with depression and anxiety disorders costs the global economy $1 trillion.
• In South Africa it is estimated that for every R1 spent on treating mental health issues within the workplace, there is a R4 return on investment when it comes to measuring the value of a corresponding increase in productivity levels.