‘Bills burnout’: Money stress now SA’s top mental health risk
A new survey by Mediclinic reveals that financial stress is the primary driver of poor mental health among South Africans across all generations. The report highlights a significant barrier to care, with many citizens unable to afford mental health services or fearing the associated social stigma.
Why it matters
The findings underscore a growing public health crisis linked to economic instability and the rising cost of living.
Financial stress is the leading contributor to poor mental health across all generations in South Africa, with 59% to 66% of respondents surveyed by private healthcare group Mediclinic citing it as a cause.
The data was published as consumers grapple with a spiralling cost of living partly due to geopolitical tensions such as the Middle East conflict, which has sent fuel prices soaring .
It shows that 45% of respondents have never accessed a mental healthcare provider, ironically partly because they cannot afford it, and also due to the stigma still attached to the ailment.
Mediclinic drew the sample for its newly launched generational health survey from residents across all generations and beyond its patient base in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Limpopo and the Western Cape.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in