It is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Sandton Central supports the goal of educating the public about mental health and reducing the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness often experience.

What causes mental health disorders?

Did you know South Africa’s mental well-being hit rock bottom on the global list? We are one of the countries with the highest percentage of distressed or struggling people. Individuals, families, colleagues and society altogether experience health problems such as depression, anxiety, job stress and substance abuse. If a person experiences any of the above, it can impact the working environment by being absent and unproductive, which in turn can impact one’s personal life.

There are numerous reasons a person can develop mental health problems in the workplace:

• Excessive and insufficient workload
• Little to no participation or control
• Repetitive or unpleasant tasks
• Role vagueness or conflict
• Lack of being recognised
• Inequity
• Lack of interpersonal relationships
• Poor working conditions
• Poor leadership and communication
• Work and home demands conflicting

Although mental illness can be treated at any clinic, hospital or healthcare provider, very few South Africans seek treatment because of being judged. It’s employers’ responsibility to contribute positively to their staff’s mental health by implementing programmes to recognise these problems early and treat them accordingly and anonymously.

Mental Health Toolkit 2022

Mental disorders vary in severity, just like physical disorders. There’s transient, an acute stress disorder that causes signs and symptoms to the body, brain, and emotions. For example, a person with acute stress could experience irritability, muscular tension, stomach problems, etc.

A more severe mental disorder is periodic, which includes bipolar disorder, characterised by periods of exaggerated elation followed by periods of depression. The most severe mental disorders are long-lasting and progressive, for instance, someone with Alzheimer’s disease.

This is a serious matter, and if you are in a position to create awareness within your working environment or even at home, we would like you to download the Mental Health Awareness Toolkit. This toolkit includes fact sheets such as:

• Starting to Think About Mental Health
• What Plays a Role in Developing Mental Health Conditions
• Maintaining Good Mental Health
• Recognising When You Need Help with Your Mental Health
• What to Do When You Need Help

If you want to get active on social media to create awareness, you can download social media covers, web banners, and social media post samples for inspiration, using any of these hashtags or relevant others – #mindmatters, #endthestigmaofmentalhealth, #mentalhealthadvocate, #mentalhealthwarrior, or #mentalhealthsupport.

Relax in Sandton City for your sanity

We know how challenging life can get sometimes, but it shouldn’t stand in the way of your happiness and health. That’s why we’re inviting you to come and relax in Sandton Central… even if you have to take a day’s leave. And don’t you dare feel guilty about it!

Vida e Caffé

Experience a galaxy of flavours at Vida e Caffé 24 Central. Choose their Electra and shine brightly before you start your day full of relaxation and ready for the world.

Virgin Active

Relax, unwind and let loose because you’ve earned it at Virgin Active in Alice Lane. There’s no other health club experience quite like this, with cutting-edge equipment and dedicated yoga and pilates. Even if you’re unfamiliar with any of these, become a member today and experience the magic touches.

Lavana Beauty Spa

You can book yourself a treatment at Lavana Beauty Spa in Benmore Centre. They deliver 5-star services because they value their clients 5-star. We strongly suggest the 60-minute Nourishing Mud Therapy Wrap. Have a look at their facial treatments too… you’ll want to try each of them!

Theatre on Square

Book your ticket for Theatre on Mandela Square’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane. The play centres around the life of Maureen, an unmarried middle-aged woman, as she cares for her ailing mother, Mag, and tries to find love. We won’t say no more other than this theatrical masterpiece is the perfect escape from reality.

Flight Centre

If you have more than a day, head to Flight Centre in Sandton Central and book your flight! Explore Cape Town like never before, experience Mauritius’ alleviating beaches, or hear nature’s voice from Zim’s Victoria Waterfalls.

Whatever you choose to do, remember to take care of yourself and get help if needed. Breathe in, take a moment and let’s support each other on our mental well-being journeys.