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 »
Creatine has long been typecast. If you lift weights or follow anyone who does, the word likely conjures images of big tubs, protein shakers and bulked-up gym floors. But the science and the fitness industry have moved on. The real story now is less about mass and more about balance: hydration, cognition and, yes, hormone
Creatine and hydration: Why we’ve been looking at this all wrong Read More »
As winter takes hold, some of us may find ourselves feeling inexplicably anxious and irritated, emotionally drained or struggling to focus. The adjustment to the sensory input we experience during the change of seasons can lead to sensory overload, an intense flood of different sights, sounds, smells, and sensations that our brains struggle to process
Winter can be hard on mental health Read More »
From a young age, many South African boys learn that expressing vulnerability puts them at risk of shame, rejection, or even bullying and physical violence. Across the country’s diverse communities, patriarchal norms and assumptions still dominate. While gender equity efforts bring the harm this does to women and girls into the spotlight, the many ways
Boys don’t have safe spaces – we must create them Read More »
Bringing a baby into the world is often portrayed as a time of joy and excitement, but for many South African mothers, the reality is far more complex. Postpartum depression (PPD) affects an estimated 1 in 3 new mothers in South Africa, yet many suffer in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness, and limited
Postpartum Depression: Why So Many Suffer in Silence Read More »