South Africa is facing an economic crisis caused by unaddressed mental health conditions, with health economists estimating a staggering cost of R161 billion a year.
These soaring figures result from lost workdays, presenteeism (physically present but mentally unwell), and premature mortality. Shockingly, the Mental State of the World 2022 report ranked South Africa at the bottom of the mental health well-being scale, comparing 34 countries worldwide.
Additionally, the report