Is your boss driving you mad? Over half of SA employees struggle with work-related mental health

South African workplaces are becoming breeding grounds for mental health crises, with more than half of employees reporting that work-related stress, pressure, or toxic management has led to a formal diagnosis of mental health disorders.

According to a new survey by corporate wellness provider MindMatters SA, 56% of South African employees say they have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, burnout, or other mental health conditions as a direct result of their working environment.

The findings highlight an alarming deterioration in workplace mental wellness, driven by poor leadership, unrealistic expectations, job insecurity, and insufficient support structures.

“Workplaces are supposed to be sources of purpose and productivity, but for many South Africans, they have become a major source of psychological harm,” said Dr. Naledi Marumo, a clinical psychologist and advisor to the study. “This report should be a wake-up call for employers.”

The survey, conducted in April 2025 and involving over 2 000 working professionals across sectors, revealed that 62% of respondents blamed their immediate managers for their mental health decline.

Nearly 70% said they regularly felt overwhelmed by workload or experienced high levels of stress at work, with little to no support from leadership.

One respondent, a 34-year-old marketing executive based in Cape Town, described how her once dream job quickly turned into a nightmare. “My manager constantly berated me in meetings, set impossible deadlines, and ignored requests for help. I ended up in therapy after a panic attack landed me in the ER,” she said.

The report also found that stigma remains a major barrier. Despite increasing awareness campaigns, only 27% of workers felt comfortable discussing mental health challenges with their employers. Others feared being labelled as weak, unprofessional, or unreliable.

This reluctance to speak up is especially pronounced in male-dominated industries like construction, mining, and finance, where stoicism is still prized over vulnerability.

“South African workplaces are still governed by outdated, macho attitudes,” said Tumi Radebe, a labour rights activist and mental health advocate. “We need to shift from productivity at all costs to a more sustainable model that values employee wellbeing.”

The consequences of inaction are already visible. The survey revealed that over 40% of employees had taken mental health-related sick leave in the past year, and 31% had considered quitting their jobs entirely to protect their mental wellbeing.

Organisations that have implemented mental health strategies — including anonymous counselling services, flexible working hours, and mandatory manager sensitivity training — have seen improvements.

These companies reported better employee engagement, reduced absenteeism, and higher retention rates.