As the country moves toward a more tech-driven future, the pressure on industries and the people within them is intensifying. According to Mehnaaz Olla, Manager at the MANCOSA School of Healthcare (SOH), these deepening social and economic challenges must not overshadow the urgent need to prioritise mental health. She emphasises that targeted support and awareness initiatives are critical in helping individuals and organisations remain resilient amid uncertainty.
Financial Instability Hits Hard
The economic turbulence since mid-2022 has left many South African businesses financially distressed. Although overall liquidations fell by 3.7% in early 2025 compared to the previous year, a 32% spike in compulsory liquidations during January and February highlights the severity of the crisis.
Olla notes that behind the financial figures are real human struggles. Business owners, executives, and employees are not just facing economic pressure, they are dealing with chronic stress, job insecurity, and the emotional weight of navigating an unstable environment. Supporting mental health, she says, is essential for sustaining long-term economic and organisational stability.
Leadership Under Pressure
Executives are under relentless pressure to remain calm, confident, and in control even when navigating unpredictable challenges. This expectation often isolates leaders, creating a silent burden that is rarely acknowledged. Olla highlights that this "strong leader" persona may appear admirable but often conceals deeper issues such as decision fatigue, anxiety, and burnout. These risks, she adds, not only affect individuals but can also undermine entire organisations.
In downturns and volatile markets, leaders are expected to drive efficiencies and ensure survival. Yet, as Olla warns, without intentional space for rest and mental reset, even the most capable leaders face burnout. She stresses that mental health should be viewed as part of the nation’s economic infrastructure, not simply a workplace wellness concern.
Students and Educators Caught in the Crossfire
The mental health challenges extend beyond the workplace and into the education sector. As technological change reshapes the job market, students are grappling with anxiety about employability and future readiness. Olla explains that many feel pressured to continuously upskill, take on side projects, and exceed expectations just to stay relevant, leading to burnout and self-doubt.
Educators, too, are facing unprecedented expectations. Their roles have expanded from knowledge transmission to helping students manage uncertainty and anxiety. Yet many educators are unsure whether they can make a meaningful impact in such a rapidly evolving environment. Olla argues that collaboration between education providers, employers, and policymakers is vital to redefining employability in a way that values well-being and non-traditional skills alongside academic achievement.
Access to Mental Health Support Remains Unequal
While the need for mental health support continues to grow, access remains a major issue in South Africa. A 2009 study found that nearly 20% of adults suffered from mental health conditions, yet fewer than 25% of them sought treatment. Olla believes the actual number may be even higher today, especially given the stigma still associated with mental health in many communities. In some cultures, she notes, individuals face real discrimination when they try to seek help, causing many to suffer in silence.
Systemic limitations compound the problem. South Africa has only 1.52 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, and nearly 73% of those operate in the private sector. In the public system, only half of the hospitals have psychiatric staff, and those are largely concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural populations with limited or no access to mental health care.
Leading Change Through Education
Despite the challenges, the MANCOSA School of Healthcare is taking proactive steps to address South Africa’s growing mental health crisis. Through education, advocacy, and innovation, the SOH is working to equip students, healthcare professionals, and communities with the tools needed not just to survive, but to thrive.
Olla explains that by building emotional resilience, fostering open conversations, and challenging long-standing stigma, MANCOSA is placing mental health at the heart of sustainable development. It’s a clear signal that mental wellness isn’t a secondary concern; it’s central to the future of leadership, education, and the economy.
In a world of uncertainty, prioritising mental health is no longer optional. It is a leadership responsibility and an economic imperative.
