South Africa was already in a state of crisis with a population that was psychologically depleted, even before Covid-19. The pandemic, with its increased fear and stress, is eroding this even further.
Our responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent recovery is likely to exacerbate our mental health crisis, unless we appreciate the importance of investing in our human and social capital by prioritising this crisis in our responses.
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group , untreated mental disorders cost the South African economy more than R35-billion in lost working days each year. One in six South Africans suffers from severe depression or from some form of mental disorder during their lifetime. Even before the outbreak, mental health practitioners such as Dr Ali Hamdulay called for a paradigm shift in business in relation to their investment in mental health. Hamdulay further cautioned that business had underestimated the extent of the impact that mental health had on the bottom line.
If this is not addressed, these leaders will exhibit high levels of stress-related illness resulting in absenteeism and poor performance. For those who insist on coming to work while still suffering from burnout, increased workplace conflict and inability to contain and support the stressed workforce is likely to ensue. It is therefore crucial that leadership debriefing, coaching and mentorship be an integral part of Covid-19 responses and recovery.
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