Mental health prevalence is at an all-time high. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) every year 703 000 people take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide. Eachsuicide is a tragedy that affects families, communitiesand countries, with long-lasting effects on the people left behind.
WHO says, ‘The stigma, particularly surrounding mental disorders and suicide, means many people who have attempted suicide, are not seeking help. Globally, one person attempts suicide every 26 seconds and one person dies from suicide every 40 seconds.
Worldwide, over 1.9 billion people battle with mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Mental health is a key driver of absenteeism and is set to cost the world $16 trillion by 2030, it also costs us millions of lives annually.
In South Africa, the economic uncertainty, political instability and poor socio-economic conditions have also added to the burden of mental health issues.
According to Dr Themba Hadebe, Clinical Executive of Bonitas Medical Fund, ‘There has been a substantial increase in the number of member mental health hospital admissions, indicating a need for additional support, particularly in the 18 to 44 age groups.
There is also a high prevalence of depression in South Africa: 1 in every 5 people show symptoms of probable depression, with the majority untreated. To make matters worse, according to South Africa’s National Mental Health Policy Framework, ‘up to 80% of South Africans who need mental health support, are unable to easily access it’.
Of the top 10 chronic conditions in South Africa, depression ranks 5th and bipolar disorder is 7th. Dr Hadebe says 2.6% of Bonitas members are registered for chronic benefits related to depression.
’This has an enormous impact on employers, as they try keep their businesses going, prevent job losses and maintain a happy and motivated workforce.’ A recent research study by YuLife found that 35% of employees want more and better mental health and wellness programmes encompassing physical, mental and emotional well-being.
The impact of NCDs
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as heart diseases, cancer and diabetes have shown to be a risk factor for mental illness. There is a higher risk of depression in cancer and diabetes patients as a result of chronic medicine side-effects.
Physical illness can also to trigger mental illness while, conversely mental illness is also a risk factor for NCDs. ‘66% of members with mental illness have another NCD,’ says Dr Hadebe ‘or have a 2-fold risk of developing an NCD.’
Help is at hand
There are specialised mental health programmes in place, either through private medical aids, community-based services or NGOs and most mental illnesses can be effectively treated by health professionals This treatment may include access to medication, therapy and counselling.
The Mental Health Programme (MHP) from Bonitas, part of its Care initiatives, includes depression as a chronic condition. It is aimed at improving quality of life and empowering people with mental health issues to manage their condition. It is education driven and offers support and resources to get the right care, at the right time and includes supporting family members.
In addition, Bonitas was the first medical aid to offer October Health™ – a free mental health and wellness app – to its members. ‘The app provides easy access to expert help, mental health information and community support,’ explains Dr Hadebe. ‘It serves as a triage system for people with psycho-social issues. Users sign in anonymously and almost all the care they receive on the app is anonymised, meaning there is significantly less fear of stigma or being identified by peers.’
The level of support depends on the degree to which help is needed. It’s a safe space to learn, ask questions and listen to various topics from parenting to depression. From drop-in digital Forest sessions to assessments, private 1:1 therapy and text-based chat, the app guide you through the right care at the right time.
And a gamified tracking tool allows the user to document and monitor the progress of their personal mental health journey. October Health™ technology is helping stop the burden of mental health and help people live happier, healthier lives.
Stigmatisation must stop
Having a mental health condition should never be a reason to deprive a person of their human rights or to exclude them from decisions about their own health. Yet all over the world, people with mental health conditions continue to experience a wide range of human rights violations. Many are excluded from community life and discriminated against, while many more cannot access the mental health care they need.
‘Fortunately, increasingly well-known and influential people who are suffering from or have overcome mental illness, are being more open about it’ says Dr Hadebe‘This will go a long way towards debunking myths, negativity, discrimination and judgement.
‘Mental health issues are a medical condition just like diabetes, cancer or HIV/AIDS,’ says Dr Hadebe. ‘We can’t expect someone to ‘pull themselves together’. They simply can’t. But with the right support and help, symptoms can be relieved and the recovery rate is encouraging.’
If you are feeling overwhelmed, struggling to concentrate and make decisions, are easily irritated and more aggressive than usual or having thoughts of death or suicide – reach out and seek help: Call the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) on 0900 567 567.
