A new study reveals that South Africans suffer higher rates of probable depression and anxiety than other countries. Unfortunately, very little is being done to proactively address this issue. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t any solutions. It’s just up to individuals, such as yourself, to take control and find them.
Anxiety Epidemic Reaches New Levels in SA
According to a recent paper by the Wits/Medical Research Council Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), a national survey conducted in South Africa shows that more than 25 percent of South Africans suffer from probable depression or anxiety. The lead author, Ashleigh Craig, says this rate is much higher than comparative studies that were conducted in other countries in the previous decade, including the United States (6.9 percent in 2011), Germany (5.6 percent in 2013), and Australia (10 percent in 2014).
“Mental illness significantly impairs overall health. And, of course, COVID-19 worsened depression and anxiety, with fear, uncertainty and social and economic disruptions arising during the pandemic,” Craig says. “Although mental health care was considered an essential service during the lockdown period in South Africa, restrictions on physical contact, in-person consultations, transport, and financial restrictions made access to facilities difficult. Thus, those seeking treatment could not access comprehensive care.”
There’s also the undeniable connection between poverty and poor mental health, something that global researchers have long pointed to as a factor in certain demographics. As Craig points out, the relationship between poverty and poor mental health is real: “It’s a vicious cycle and has intergenerational effects.”
How to Fight Back Against Anxiety
Fighting back against anxiety is difficult enough in isolated situations. It’s made even more difficult when it’s a widespread issue across an entire nation. There are, however, solutions that can be effective, including:
- Prioritize Education
According to the DPHRU study, those with little education face a much higher risk of probable depression and anxiety. This backs up previous research studies that show education has a “protective effect” against anxiety and depression. This is likely due to the feeling of empowerment that comes from higher education, as well as the ability of education to pull people out of poverty and into better living conditions.
To reduce widespread depression and anxiety, education must continue to be a priority in each of South Africa’s provinces. This is one of the most proactive ways to protect today’s youth and set them on a positive trajectory moving forward.
- Partner With Mental Health Professionals
There needs to be an even bigger emphasis on the role of mental health professionals in South African communities. There’s no shortage of skilled therapists in the country, including online therapists in South Africa who can provide therapy and counseling remotely.
Seeking help from therapists needs to become even more normalized than it already is. The more people realize the power of therapy to address depression and anxiety at a root level, the more freedom there will be.
- Address Poverty
According to DPHRU, one-third of the South African population live in rural areas. (This includes 74 percent of poor South Africans.) And, as previously mentioned, there’s plenty of data and anecdotal evidence to suggest that people who live in impoverished rural areas are more susceptible to dealing with mental illness issues related to anxiety and depression.
Addressing poverty is something that’s already a huge focus in this country – so it’s not like this is a new suggestion – but the continued efforts to deal with poverty (particularly in rural areas) will yield dividends on the mental health front.
- Programs for the Elderly
Older adults who are single, divorced, separated, or widowed consistently have worse mental health than those who are not. As Craig says, “Depression is more prevalent in later life, presumably because of a decline in health and the challenges of retirement.”
Finding more ways to support elderly individuals in communities that are prone to anxiety and depression will go a long way toward addressing some of this demographic’s biggest struggles.
Adding it All Up
At the end of the day, fighting widespread anxiety and depression in South Africa starts with one person. You can’t create change until individual people are the focus. And whether it’s through better education, therapy, or some mixture of policies, relationships are at the heart of it all.
Loving and caring for people will always be the best antidote.
