Mental health problems are very quickly becoming the greatest cause for conditions that require medical treatment in South Africa, even more so than HIV / AIDS. The FF Plus is of the opinion that the country’s terrible economic conditions and the consequent unemployment play a very big role in this.
According to an article in Biznews, which is based on research by Discovery Health, the treatment of people with conditions related to mental health problems has increased with about 80% over the last five years.
The crisis is perpetuated by the fact that the facilities that are supposed to offer treatment to people with mental health problems in the various provinces, are simply inadequate.
The biggest problems seem to be depression and other related conditions. It is estimated that the economic impact of this, in terms of the loss of productivity, amounts to between R12 and R16 billion per year.
Research by the London School of Economics, which investigated the various factors that have an effect on people’s satisfaction with life, indicates that it is much easier to deal with a break up or even the death of a loved one than losing your job (graphic 24).
According to the latest figures by Stats SA, the country’s unemployment rate is currently 27% of the total population. And according to Mr Kevin Lings, chief economist at Stanlib, the unemployment rate amongst people younger than 25 is 63,8% at present (Beeld, 15 February 2017).
This correlates with the World Economic Forum’s finding that more than 50% of South Africans between the ages of 15 and 24 are unemployed and that the country has the second highest unemployment rate in the world (Die Voorblad).
Adv. Alberts says that the correlation between the increase in unemployment and the increase in mental health problems is clear and it comes down to the fact that the ANC government is doing great damage both to the country and its people with their economic policies.
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