“I’m fine.” It is one of the most common responses we give when someone asks how we are doing. We smile, move on and get on with our day. But sometimes, those two words hide far more than we realise.
As a clinical psychologist, I recognise that functioning does not necessarily mean someone is coping well psychologically. People can show up for work, meet deadlines, care for their families and laugh with colleagues while experiencing significant psychological distress. The ability to keep going does not always mean someone is doing well emotionally. This is worth reflecting on during Mental Health Awareness Month.
For students interested in understanding the relationship between human behaviour and the world of work, the Bachelor of Industrial Psychology explores areas such as organisational behaviour, employee wellbeing and workplace dynamics.
We have made progress in talking about mental health. Words such as anxiety, depression, burnout and trauma are now part of everyday conversations. However, knowing the language of mental health and knowing how to recognise and respond to psychological distress are two different things.
This blog outlines why mental health awareness matters when psychological distress is not always visible. It explores how people can continue working, studying, caring for others and appearing functional while experiencing emotional distress, and considers the South African realities that can influence mental health. It also explains why psychological support should not be reserved only for moments of crisis, how to respond when someone says they are struggling, why informal diagnosis should be avoided, and how workplaces, families and communities can respond with greater compassion and appropriate support.
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Mental Health Awareness in South Africa
In South Africa, we must consider the realities of people’s lives. Financial difficulties, unemployment, grief, crime, relationship challenges and family responsibilities can place considerable pressure on psychological well-being.
According to Gallup’s 2026 State of the Global Workplace report, 36% of South African employees experienced significant stress the previous day.
Mental health cannot be separated from the circumstances in which people live. Our psychological well-being is influenced by our relationships, responsibilities and social environments.
Yet conversations about wellness often focus on managing stress, practising self-care and maintaining boundaries. While these strategies are helpful, there is something uncomfortable about telling someone to “manage their stress” when they are worried about paying rent.
Not every difficult emotion can be resolved through a better morning routine or a change in mindset.
Sometimes people need practical assistance, understanding from their families or employers, or professional psychological care. Unfortunately, accessing support is not always straightforward. In 2025, the Department of Health reported that only 5% of the national healthcare budget was allocated to mental-health services.
One misconception we need to challenge is that someone must reach breaking point before seeking psychological support.
You do not have to wait until you cannot get out of bed, your relationships are falling apart or you can no longer work or study. Psychological support is not only for moments of crisis.
Therapy can help us understand our thoughts, emotions and relationships, process grief or navigate significant life changes. Sometimes, the conversation begins with something as simple as, “I haven’t felt like myself lately.”
Equally important is how we respond when someone tells us they are struggling.
Our instinct is often to offer advice, encourage positivity or remind people that things could be worse. Although well-intentioned, these responses can minimise someone’s experience. Sometimes, what a person needs most is to feel heard.
A related RegInsights article, The Psychology of Silence: Why Is It Sometimes So Hard to Speak Up?, explores how fear, shame, uncertainty and concerns about other people’s reactions can influence whether someone speaks about a difficult experience or seeks support.
You do not need to be a psychologist to ask, “How are you, really?”, and allow someone time to answer. What matters is responding with compassion rather than assumptions or judgement.
We should also avoid diagnosing one another. Although social media has made psychological information accessible, a TikTok video or online checklist cannot fully explain someone’s psychological well-being. Human experiences are complex, and psychological assessment requires professional training.
In a 2024 survey by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), 52% of 963 employees surveyed reported having been diagnosed with a mental-health condition, while 75% thought about work outside working hours.
The colleague who consistently meets deadlines may be struggling. The manager who appears confident may be overwhelmed. The friend who supports everyone else may find it difficult to ask for help.
For students interested in understanding how people experience work, the Bachelor of Industrial Psychology examines human behaviour within organisational environments and the factors that can influence people at work.
And sometimes, that person may be you.
Mental-health awareness should remind us that psychological distress does not have a particular appearance.
For further reading, The Invisible Impact of Emotional Trauma: Resilience, Recovery and Healing explores how difficult experiences can affect emotions, relationships and everyday functioning even when distress is not immediately visible to others.
This October, perhaps we can move beyond simply reminding people that mental health matters. We can pay closer attention, listen without immediately offering advice and recognise that seeking help should not be reserved for moments of crisis.
Sometimes, a meaningful starting point is simply asking someone how they are and staying long enough to hear the real answer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health Awareness in South Africa
Why is mental health awareness important in South Africa?
Mental health awareness is important in South Africa because psychological wellbeing can be influenced by many personal, social and economic pressures, including financial difficulties, unemployment, grief, crime, relationship challenges, family responsibilities and workplace stress. Greater awareness can help people recognise that someone may need support even when their distress is not immediately visible.
Can someone look fine and still be struggling with their mental health?
Yes. Someone can continue working, studying, caring for family, meeting deadlines and socialising while experiencing psychological distress. Outward functioning does not necessarily reveal how a person is feeling internally.
What are some signs that someone may be struggling mentally?
There is no single appearance or behaviour that confirms psychological distress. Changes in a person’s usual behaviour, emotional wellbeing, relationships or ability to cope may sometimes indicate that support could be helpful, but these should not be used to diagnose someone.
What can affect mental health in South Africa?
Mental health can be influenced by a combination of individual circumstances and wider social conditions. Financial pressure, unemployment, family responsibilities, grief, relationship difficulties, crime and stressful working environments can all place pressure on psychological wellbeing.
Do you need to be in crisis before seeking psychological support?
No. Psychological support is not only for moments of severe crisis. Someone may choose to seek professional support when they notice that they have not felt like themselves, are struggling with difficult emotions or are finding it harder to manage relationships, work, study or significant life changes.
How can I support someone who says they are struggling?
One helpful starting point is to listen without immediately trying to solve the problem. Ask how the person is doing, give them space to answer, avoid minimising their experience and encourage appropriate professional support where needed.
Why is mental health in the workplace important in South Africa?
People spend a significant part of their lives at work, and workplace pressures can interact with personal and social challenges. Supportive organisational environments can help employees feel more comfortable discussing wellbeing and accessing appropriate support when needed.
Should I diagnose a colleague, friend or family member based on symptoms I see online?
No. Mental-health information on social media can improve awareness, but an online checklist or video cannot provide a full psychological assessment. Diagnosis and psychological assessment require appropriately trained professionals.
How does Industrial Psychology relate to mental health in the workplace?
Industrial Psychology focuses on human behaviour within workplaces and organisations. It can explore areas such as organisational behaviour, employee wellbeing, workplace dynamics and how organisational environments affect people. It should not be confused with clinical psychological assessment or treatment.
What does Mental Health Awareness Month encourage South Africans to do?
Mental Health Awareness Month provides an opportunity to move beyond simply saying that mental health matters. It can encourage people to listen more carefully, respond without judgement, challenge stigma and recognise that seeking support should not be reserved only for moments of crisis.
