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 »
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to an end in South Africa, a connection is emerging that challenges how we understand and address mental health issues. Iron deficiency and anaemia – treatable and preventable conditions – affect the mental well-being of millions of people: from overstimulated toddlers to anxious teenagers, overwhelmed young adults, depressed postpartum
Why iron stores matter for mental health Read More »
As October marks Mental Health Awareness Month, attention is turning to how today’s fast-paced, digitally driven lifestyle overlaps with the symptoms of adult ADHD. Constant notifications, the pressure to multitask and everyday stress, are leaving many adults wondering whether their struggles to focus and concentrate stem from clinical ADHD or if it’s simply the effects
ADHD or constantly distracted? How to tell the difference in today’s always-on world Read More »
As Mental Health Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the factors affecting South Africans’ well-being, figures from a Sanlam Benchmark survey reveal just how deeply financial stress is impacting daily life: 80% of South Africans said they were currently experiencing financial stress, which was impacting their mental health. “Financial stress isn’t just about money. It’s
8 in 10 people say money worries are hurting their mental health Read More »
More than 40% of South African women report poor mental health. For new mothers, that number is just the beginning. Postpartum depression (PPD) affects as many as one in three women in South Africa and remains one of the most invisible productivity killers in our workforce. Because here’s the thing no one wants to say out loud:
The mother load: Why postpartum depression and burnout are becoming workplace issues Read More »
If you’ve ever walked into a messy house and wanted to cry, you’re not over-reacting. That overflowing laundry hamper, those unmade beds, the dust bunnies lurking in the corners… It’s mess, but it’s also what the mess means. Yet another list of things to sort, scrub, sweep, wash, rinse and repeat. It’s mental, and sometimes
Why that pile of laundry feels like a personal attack… and how to deflect it Read More »
Poor sleep in teens can mimic the symptoms of ADHD, which is why sleep history should be considered before a diagnosis is reached, says Dr Alison Bentley, medical doctor at Restonic Ezintsha Sleep Clinic. Dr Bentley was speaking at a recent fireside chat hosted by Education Incorporated Private School and its principal, Gershom Aitchison, in partnership with
Teen sleep problems may present as ADHD Read More »