To kickstart the conversation around the importance of mental health, healthcare workers and all South Africans are encouraged to wear their bold, mismatched socks as part of the annual #CrazySocks4Docs campaign on Friday 2 June.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there’s an urgent, indisputable need to focus on the importance of mental health[1]. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15 – 29-year-olds[2].
While people battling with a mental health condition often experience feelings of hopelessness, it’s important to note that “affordable, effective and feasible strategies exist to promote, protect and restore mental health”, the WHO states1. The United Nations included mental health among the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, acknowledging it as a priority for global development[3].
Cipla South Africa CEO, Paul Miller, said: “Campaigns such as the #CrazySocks4Docs create a culture of frank discussions around mental health that helps to break the stigma associated with the disease so that people feel comfortable to seek the necessary help.”
CARING FOR OUR CARERS
The #CrazySocks4Docs (CS4D) campaign is the brainchild of Australian cardiologist, Dr Geoff Toogood, who battles with depression and anxiety, and wanted to create an awareness movement to reduce the suicide rates among healthcare professionals worldwide[4]. According to research, mental health issues are especially high among professions that involve treating others[5].
Mental health conditions are prevalent among healthcare workers because of challenges such as hectic workload, compassion fatigue, burnout and the stress associated with the job[6]. However, it’s an issue that is overlooked or not prioritized, so healthcare workers don’t often receive the necessary support6. Medical interns are also especially vulnerable as they often enter a high-pressure field with limited support6.
According to a study published in The Lancet, a quarter and a third of physicians reported increased symptoms of mental ill health[7]. “Physicians, particularly female physicians, are at an increased risk of suicide,” the study states7.
As part of its “Caring for Life” ethos, pharmaceutical company, Cipla South Africa, is championing equitable access to mental healthcare and have created numerous campaigns to help destigmatize mental health, as well as creating a dedicated counselling helpline. As part of the CS4D campaign, Cipla procured thousands of pairs of locally produced funky socks and distributed it to healthcare workers and medical students across the country.
THE NEXT PANDEMIC
In the aftermath of COVID-19, mental health has been identified as the “hidden pandemic”. Reasons for increased rates of depression and anxiety relate to social disruptions and uncertainty associated with a bleak economic outlook and a volatile world[8], [9].
According to GWI, 1/5 of Gen Z globally say they or someone in their household is suffering from a mental health condition. This number is higher than any other generation[10]. Mental health issues are also manifesting in other ways such as the “quiet quitting” trend where people are trying to find a way to cope with issues such as anxiety, stress or burnout8, [11].
There are an increasing number of celebrities who are candidly speaking about their mental health struggles. Most recently, actors Selena Gomez, Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, as well as athletes such as gymnast Simone Biles and tennis player Naomi Osaka have shared their experiences.
According to the 2023 Dentsu Creative Trends report, “the mental health crisis long predated COVID-19 – the pandemic merely broke its surface and revealed the cracks underneath… The pandemic caused mental health issues to surface, the uncertain economic outlook exacerbated them…”4.
Miller, said: “People need to know that they’re not alone, there is hope, and help is available.”
