On World Mental Health Day 2023, Discovery convened a panel discussion with four expert panellists reflecting on the prevalence of mental illnesses locally and globally.
Journalist Bongani Bingwa facilitated the discussion on October 10, focusing on depression as the primary driver of mental illness across the world.
Panellists explained the signs and symptoms of depression, key elements of prevention and treatment, and recently launched digital therapeutic aids for mental health. They also explored studies that addressed how healthy lifestyle habits protect us from poor mental health.
According to Cassey Chambers, operations director at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), depression is the primary driver of mental illness with young adults, adolescents, and children being particularly vulnerable.
“It is most often diagnosed in women because they are more likely to screen and reach out for help. Undiagnosed and untreated depression is the leading cause of suicide in South Africa and globally. In fact, in South Africa, men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women.”
Chambers explained that before the COVID-19 pandemic, they received around 600 calls per day to their free national helpline, and three years after the pandemic, they still received 3000 calls per day. Hundreds of people also reach out to them via SMS, email, or social media, and this increase is an indication of the state of people’s mental health in South Africa.
“Contributors to depression include everything from day-to-day stressors to trauma, loss, abuse, gender-based violence, the effects of crime, divorce and separation, financial stressors, and more.”
Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, chief clinical officer at Discovery Health, said people who may have cardiovascular-related diseases are also face an increased risk of mental illness.
“What makes quantifying the impact of mental illness even harder is that people may not present with the typical symptoms of mental illness and may present with other physical manifestations such as chronic pain and maybe a significant comorbid condition in people living with diseases like diabetes or hypertension.”
Head of wellness at Discovery Vitality, Dr Mosima Mabunda, added to what Nematswerani said: “When someone presents with anything from symptoms such as insomnia to high blood pressure or cardiovascular conditions, it’s key to also screen them for mental health conditions such as depression.”
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