During Stress Awareness Month, attention turns to a pressing issue in South Africa’s education system: Learners face unprecedented pressure, but often lack the means to cope. What was once a manageable academic journey has become a constant balancing act. Today’s learners must juggle schoolwork, social pressures, digital distractions and growing anxiety about the future – […]
Inside the pressures of modern learning Read More »
South Africans are living through another cycle of sustained economic pressure as rising fuel costs continue to filter through the economy, pushing up the price of transport, food and household goods. At the same time, broader global uncertainty and ongoing geopolitical tensions are adding further worry and dread to an already financially stressful landscape for
South Africans are stressed out: The hidden health impact of a strained economy Read More »
In a world of endless notifications, relentless multitasking and constant information overload, the ability to focus is slipping through our fingers. Research suggests the human attention span has shrunk dramatically over the past two decades, with a widely cited Microsoft study putting it at just eight seconds today, down from 12 seconds in 2000. That’s
Simple rituals like tea drinking help rewire focus in a distracted world Read More »
In a world where stress, uncertainty and change have become constants, many people are searching for ways to find clarity, resilience and a deeper sense of purpose. Two approaches that have surged in popularity in recent years are therapy and life coaching. The disciplines are distinct, but often complementary tools for personal development. Understanding therapy
Life coaching or therapy? Exploring the paths to mental wellness Read More »
Your heart is pounding. Your stomach is in knots. Your shoulders feel locked in tension and exhaustion hangs over you – yet, medical tests show nothing physically wrong. For millions of South Africans, anxiety doesn’t stay confined to the mind: It shows up powerfully in the body as psychosomatic symptoms, with very real physical sensations
SA’s silent strain fuelled by growing anxiety Read More »
Screen time has become one of the most pressing concerns for children’s brain development and mental health in the digital age. This article urges families to act decisively to protect children’s brain development, emotional wellbeing and essential human skills in an era dominated by social media, artificial intelligence and persuasive technology. It highlights two major
Screen time and children’s brain health: Key warning signs for parents Read More »
A convergence of biological, societal and economic factors is placing South Africa’s adolescents at higher risk of suicide, yet many adults may not be in tune with the signs of mental health crises in today’s younger generation. Psychiatrist Dr Abongile Makuluma, who practises at Netcare Akeso Milnerton, unpacks the pressures young people are facing in
Could emojis be masking teen suffering? Read More »
During National Pregnancy Week (3–7 February), the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) is urging pregnant women to take depression and anxiety seriously and not to stop psychiatric medication without medical advice. In South Africa, between 16% and 50% of women experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy, and up to one in 10 is at high risk
Untreated depression can endanger both mother and baby Read More »
If you’ve ever walked through a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), you’ll know the atmosphere: quiet, sterile, filled with tiny machines keeping even tinier lives stable. What you may not see, though, is the emotional toll it takes on the mothers standing behind that glass. For many moms of premature babies, the NICU isn’t just
Mental health and the NICU mom: The silent battle behind the glass Read More »
Financial management – the basic act of organising day-to-day finances, managing debt and building a savings buffer – is one of the most under-emphasised components of comprehensive financial planning, despite having a disproportionate impact on mental health. This narrative needs to shift. There is often a significant link observed between your financial situation and your
Why debt is ruining your sleep: The link between financial stability and mental health Read More »