Reconsider women's mental health in the workplace. That was the FF Plus in Gauteng's plea for International Women's Day.
Women who may suffer from mental health problems often keep quiet about it seeing as they feel that it carries a stigma in the workplace and, thus, they are discouraged from seeking help.
Statistics show that women are at a greater risk of developing some or other form of mental health problems than men.
Probable contributing factors include personal circumstances, work pressure, work circumstances and hereditary factors. The most common mental health conditions are depression and bipolar disorder.
Mental health has a great impact on productivity in the workplace and, thus, it is important to address any problems as soon as they arise before working hours are lost.
It is ironic that employers compile comprehensive policy documents on support for "healthy" workers while there is very little to no support structures available for staff suffering from mental health problems.
In South Africa, the biggest challenges regarding mental health issues stem from the impact of our socio-economic gender legacy, race and social inequalities.
Statistics of the World Federation for Mental Health indicate that 36 working days are lost after every episode or incident related to mental health conditions and at any given time, 10% of employees are absent from work due to depression.
At present, the government spends 5% of its national health budget on treating mental health patients, while it actually costs the country's economy six times as much.
The loss of revenue caused by depression among employees and employers is estimated at approximately R55 000 per adult per year, which amounts to nearly R40 billion (2,2%) of the country's Gross Domestic Product.
The stigma that clings to any form of mental health problems in South Africa contributes greatly to the fact that these conditions are often not treated in time nor successfully.
Women are the biggest victims in this regard because they are more likely to listen to someone else's opinion.
The FF Plus is deeply concerned about the fact that derogatory remarks are made about women even in provincial council chambers.
In a recent incident in the Gauteng provincial Legislature, a senior politician referred to a woman as "stupid". He was not reprimanded by the chairperson and so, the FF Plus wants to emphasise that any person who tolerates this form of mental and emotional abuse is complicit in the detrimental impact it has on the affected individual.
If we want to let the celebration of International Women's Day to come to its full right, we cannot disregard any form of emotional abuse or mental health conditions.
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