Prevalence
Around 13% of South African employees have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, and over one-third experience excessive daily stress. Common conditions include depression, anxiety, and burnout — all of which significantly affect workplace performance and overall well-being.
Shifting Gender Patterns
While women have historically reported higher workplace mental health risks, recent data shows a notable rise among men. In 2023, men accounted for 37.12% of mental health risk cases, up from 35.10% in 2018. (Life Healthcare)
This trend reflects increasing emotional strain on men in professional environments — often compounded by stigma and cultural expectations around coping “quietly” or “being strong.”
Suicide Risk
The urgency is clear. Men account for the majority of suicide-related deaths in South Africa. In 2019, of 13,774 mental health-related deaths, 10,861 were men — approximately 79%.
Burnout, depression, and anxiety in men are just as real and just as serious as in women — they simply present differently and are often less openly spoken about.
The question is:
How are we supporting the men in our workplaces?
