Behavioural Bytes Archives
Consider this: if you are in a room with four South Africans, the likelihood is that one of you is quietly, perhaps invisibly, battling moderate to severe symptoms of depression. And in a typical office or classroom, one in three of the people you see will experience some form of mental health disorder during their lifetime. These are not abstract figures, nor are they distant. They are intimate, personal. They are us—our friends, our colleagues, our children, our parents.
Yet, despite the prevalence, for every 100 people grappling with mental disorders, epilepsy, or intellectual disabilities, only 8 receive the help they so desperately need. The gap between those who suffer and those who seek care is vast, and it is carved by stigma. Stigma, in all its forms—social, institutional, and internal—renders those in need invisible, unworthy of help. It is a potent silencer.
Stigma is not merely a cultural phenomenon; it is a force that shapes lives, opportunities, and outcomes. It can appear as discrimination in the workplace, where mental health struggles are seen as weaknesses, or in healthcare settings, where the very ones who should provide care may unwittingly reinforce prejudices. It takes the form of social isolation, where individuals are alienated or rejected for their mental struggles, and even worse, self-stigma—where one’s sense of self-worth is eroded by the belief that they are somehow “less” because of their condition.
The consequences of delayed or avoided treatment are not simply individual tragedies but a national crisis. Mental health disorders drain our economy— R161 billion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, and spiralling healthcare costs. But the true cost is incalculable: the loss of potential, of lives lived half in shadow, of the rich fabric of human experience diminished by silence.
If we are to truly address this silent epidemic, we must change not only our systems of care but the very way we communicate about mental health.
The task is immense, but so is the South African capacity for transformation. As a nation, we must embark on a sustained, multifaceted effort to change the way we think, speak, and act.
We envision a future shaped by long-term behavioural communication strategies, rooted in empathy and understanding:
Targeted Awareness Campaigns: Our campaigns must speak not only to the mind but to the heart, using culturally resonant messages to dispel myths, challenge stereotypes, and foster empathy. We must bring mental health into everyday conversation, normalising it and making it a part of our shared reality.
Storytelling and Lived Experiences: There is immense power in personal stories. When individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges speak, they bring authenticity and connection that can bridge the divide between “us” and “them.” Their voices can soften the harsh edges of stigma.
Workplace Interventions: In the spaces where we spend much of our lives, we must create environments that are not just accepting but actively supportive of mental health. This requires long-term, systemic change within organisations.
Community Engagement: Mental health cannot be addressed in isolation from the broader social fabric. We must engage with community leaders, traditional healers, and religious institutions, integrating mental health into the structures that shape everyday life.
Education System Integration: The key to lasting change lies with our youth. By weaving mental health literacy into the education system, we can foster a generation that views mental health as an integral part of overall health—no more, no less.
Healthcare Provider Training: Healthcare professionals must be equipped not only with medical knowledge but with the awareness of their own biases, so that care can be given without judgement, stigma, or prejudice.
Policy Advocacy: Finally, we must work alongside policymakers to ensure that mental health is not sidelined but prioritised, that laws and policies reflect the needs of those living with mental health disorders, and that access to care is safeguarded as a fundamental right.
In South Africa, as in many parts of the world, breaking the silence around mental health is no easy task. But it is essential. We must create a culture where seeking help for mental health is seen as no different from seeking help for a physical illness—where mental health is viewed as health, finish and klaar! Only then can we move forward, together, into a future where silence no longer holds power over our minds, our hearts, or our lives.
