Just like millions of young people worldwide, South African youth face significant mental health challenges, due to shared experiences like economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability and pressures from social media threats – and many of them would be happy to undergo free mental health checks, they say.
This country’s socio-economic context also gives rise to distinct issues that uniquely affect the well-being of its young population, and sets them apart, to a point, from many of their global peers, so “there’s an obvious local context to the challenges of our youth”, said Jogini Packery, head of the Johannesburg campus of SACAP (South African College of Applied Pyschology).
The Citizen reports that these relate to high crime, the prevalence of domestic violence and substance abuse, the socio-economic crisis, lack of government funding towards early mental health intervention, and educational challenges.
A recent online survey by SACAP found more than 60% of the youngsters who responded expressed worries about depression (61%) and anxiety (65%).
The online survey gathered responses from 850 internet-connected participants aged between 17 and 20 – recent school leavers or students in grades 11 and 12.
Packery said research indicates the primary mental health challenges confronted by youth worldwide – including in SA – are anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, self-harm and suicidal behaviours,
“In SA, in particular, we see post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse and risky behaviours, depression and anxiety, suicide and self-harm, and sexual and reproductive health issues on the rise. I believe systemic decay is the leading cause of our youth facing the psychological stressors they do, and the lack of effective coping strategies creates barriers to their wellness.”
Impact of technology, social media
Genevieve Burrow, counselling centre co-ordinator of The Youth Hub at Groote Schuur Hospital Adolescent Centre of Excellence, which is one of the limited affordable counselling options in the country, said: “The rapid development of technology and increased exposure and accessibility to social media creates difficulties for Gen Z, as these elements may affect their emotional wellbeing and mental health.”
“Stress and anxiety may develop because of the increase in cyberbullying and online harassment. Additionally, the need for approval, acceptance, validation, and instant gratification on social media further affects mental health.”
Increased awareness
According to the Frame Your Future survey, 61% of South African youth expressed a strong willingness to undergo mental health check-ups every six months if these were free, and Burrow said there had been an increase in comprehension and consciousness regarding mental health.
“It’s resulted in more honest discussions and less stigma associated with seeking help,” she pointed out.
“Compared with earlier generations, young people today may be more likely to recognise and ask for help for mental health problems.
“However, due to this increased awareness, it may appear to some as if Gen Z is less resilient or has fewer effective coping mechanisms when in fact, they may just be more forthcoming about their emotional and mental health difficulties.”
Barriers to mental health services:
1. Lack of government funding and resources.
2. Lack of integration of mental health into primary healthcare to promote early detection, prompt intervention, and increased access assistance.
3. Widespread scarcity of mental health practitioners.
4. Slow uptake of telehealth solutions providing mental health services.
5. Lack of early intervention and prevention programmes to foster mental health awareness, educate children about mental health in the classroom, combat stigma, and provide early intervention services for vulnerable groups.
6. Lack of community-based support services to give people with mental health disorders ongoing support and treatment choices.
The Citizen article – These are the mental health challenges SA’s youth are facing (Open access)
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Child and adolescent mental health services in crisis, report finds
The triple A approach to tackling South Africa’s mental health challenges
Wellcome Data Prize to help understand young South Africans’ mental health crisis
Social media's impact on mental health: An 8-year longitudinal study