Mental health is a topic close to my heart. Coming from a family where several members grappled with mental health challenges, I’ve gained a deep understanding of its impact. I witnessed how mental health affects entrepreneurs firsthand while working closely with my grandfather, who ran his own rubble removal business. He often battled stress that comes with dealing with difficult clients: He faced exploitation by younger homeowners and dealt with contractors who refused to pay for services rendered. To cope, he occasionally bought a beer, telling me in confidence never to mention it to my grandmother. That was his way of managing the pressures of self-employment.
In South Africa, mental health affects a significant portion of the population. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), approximately 1 in 3 South Africans will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that South Africa has one of the highest rates of suicide in Africa, with over 23 suicides per 100,000 people annually.
Recently, on X Spaces, we discussed how mental health impacts entrepreneurs. Our panel included:
Qhawe Plaatjie
- Qhawe Plaatjie: Clinical psychologist with extensive experience in both practice and academia.
Siyabonga Ntshangase
- Siyabonga Ntshangase: Counselling psychologist specialising in mental health consultation.
Bongani Matshisi
- Bongani Matshisi: Founder of Paysho, an escrow service providing protection for buyers and sellers.
Mart Meyer
- Mart Meyer: Community Outreach Specialist at Pace Recovery Centre, focusing on addiction and mental health in the workplace.
Fatima Seedat
- Fatima Seedat: Development Manager at the South African Depression & Anxiety Group (SADAG), dedicated to creating positive change in the mental health sector.
Q: Let’s start with you Qhawe, please give us your background.
Qhawe: I am a clinical psychologist based in PE, Gqeberha, and I run a private practice. I also serve as a lecturer and research supervisor. Previously, I worked at Nelson Mandela University in the student counselling department, assisting students facing various mental health challenges. Before that, I worked with the South African Defence Force as a psychologist, primarily supporting soldiers and their families. I’m honoured to be part of this conversation. Beyond my practice, I value engaging in discussions because I believe I learn more outside of formal education. Conversations help bridge the gap in understanding what therapy truly involves and dispelling misconceptions.
Q: Siyabonga, please introduce yourself.
Siyabonga: I am a counselling psychologist based in Gauteng. I studied at the University of Johannesburg and later worked there for three years. Currently, I am employed at Tshwane University of Technology. In addition to my academic role, I engage as a speaker on mental health issues and operate a private practice.
Q: Bongani, could you also introduce yourself?
Bongani: I am the founder of an online platform called PaySho, an escrow service that acts as a middleman between buyers and sellers of products and services. Our goal is to mitigate the risks associated with transactions where parties are not in the same location. This situation often creates opportunities for scammers to exploit hardworking individuals. PaySho ensures the protection of both buyers and sellers by safeguarding their funds until transactions are successfully completed.
Q: We also have Mart Meyer, who has become a friend of the show.
Mart: Yes, thanks for having me again. It’s great to talk about this topic. I am a co-founder, alongside my wife, of a rehabilitation centre here in Mpumalanga. We work extensively with mental health and addiction across a wide spectrum. We are honoured to be here and thank you for inviting us.
Q: Our last panelist is Fatima. Can you please introduce yourself.
Fatima: Thank you to everyone who put this together. I believe it’s crucial to focus more on mental health. A brief introduction about myself: I work with SADAG and have been in the NGO sector for about 17 years. My background in psychology from Wits University fuels my passion for creating awareness programmes in underprivileged communities.
Q: Qhawe, can you share with us your observations about how mental health impacts entrepreneurs.
Qhawe: The moment you speak about business, being a healthcare professional in private practice, the first thing that comes to mind is anxiety. Entrepreneurs often experience a perpetual state of anxiety about the continuity of their business. For instance, if customers stop coming, there’s no income. Therefore, businesses need to constantly transform, reinvent, and rebrand themselves to retain their clientele.
Q: What are some tips you have for entrepreneurs to avoid finding themselves in a state of anxiety?
Qhawe: Whenever I explain mental health to people, I emphasize that it’s a state one must actively pursue. I often use the analogy that just because you don’t have the flu doesn’t mean you’re healthy. Being healthy requires going to the gym, eating well, and so on—that’s what constitutes health. Mental health operates similarly; the absence of a mental disorder doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in a healthy mental state. It should also involve actively pursuing mental well-being in everything you do.
Q: Bongani, can you share your thoughts and reflect on Qhawe’s insights?
Bongani: One of the biggest challenges in entrepreneurship is the stress that comes with it. My definition of stress revolves around the inability to predict the future. Many factors are beyond your control, and this uncertainty can overwhelm people. This stress not only affects mental health but can also impact physical well-being because of the constant pressure to pay bills and keep operations running smoothly.
When I observe entrepreneurship, I see two main types of entrepreneurs. There are those who transition from employment to business ownership, leaving behind the security of a salary. This shift brings significant changes and often unforeseen challenges. Then, there are entrepreneurs who enter business straight away. While they may be more experienced, they are still susceptible to the stresses that come with running a business.
My motto is to care about how you feel. As a result, I have become more aware of my emotions at any given moment. It’s important to manage your attention because where your attention goes, your energy flows. In today’s world, there are countless distractions competing for our attention—social media, family, and various responsibilities.
Q: Siyabonga, can you share with us your input on the mental health topic?
Siyabonga: Thank you to Bongani who took all of our points. It’s lovely to hear an entrepreneur who is also self-aware and authentic. I think business pushes us a lot to be authentic. One of the things that we are seeing is that business is risky, so most businesses don’t make it to their second year, never mind their third year. Most businesses are not funded and struggle with many other issues, like electricity, lack of resources, and competition.
We need to see that for most, being in business can cause adjustment issues, like managing expectations of the new environment. Many people struggle with stress, constantly worrying, feeling overwhelmed, and these feelings affect their sleeping patterns, eating habits, work, rest, and play. While some may readjust and thrive, many experience anxiety and depression. It’s crucial to have a realistic outlook on the risks associated with being in business.
I know many people in business have a certain risk appetite, but for many, they only realize once they are in business that it’s not what they thought it would be. I want to normalize these feelings. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, to feel like you don’t belong, to have impostor syndrome.
Another important aspect is having the right amount of support. Research has shown that social support is a protective factor against mental health issues. Having the right people for financial and social support is crucial so that you don’t feel alienated or lonely in business.
Q: Today I am enjoying the topic. I feel like I can just keep quiet and listen. Mart, can you share your own thoughts?
Mart: I like the way that we started the discussion. One of the things we often look at is how we understand words. Take the word entrepreneurship, for instance—it can evoke anxiety and bad feelings. Business itself is “busyness.” Mental health is often classified as a disease, and we all go through states that challenge our mental health.
If we seek external validation or solutions outside ourselves, it can lead to mental health disorders. Even though I am fortunate to work in an environment with yoga classes, psychologists, social workers, and life coaching for my employees, the reality is that as entrepreneurs, we need a support system. I am a recovering addict and continue working as part of a cluster program where I have a sponsor.
In business, we need a business coach or someone to talk to. Echoing from last week’s discussion, it’s lonely at the top. We have to make decisions, manage people, manage capital, and put all the pieces together. Who do we rely on? Who do we talk to about these things?
For the past few years, our demographics at the rehab have changed completely. When we started off, it was more younger people coming in. But now, a lot of business people are seeking treatment. What our people are echoing is the stigma around it. Mental health and addiction aren’t things to shy away from.
I mean, this is a personal story; at some stage in my business, I couldn’t even look at my bank statements. Whether they were good or bad, looking at them would put me in a nervous state. If there was money, I felt the pressure to spend it. My sponsor advised me, for 30 days, not to look at my bank statements.
Q: Thank you, Mart. Fatima, can we get your thoughts and views on this topic?
Fatima: I agree with all the points that have been shared, and I think they resonate deeply with me. Every point was interesting because we spoke about how difficult it is being an entrepreneur—the different hats you have to wear. It’s about work life, the social life, and the balance you have to strike, which many of us struggle with. And all the expectations that we have over ourselves. All of that almost seems overwhelming and challenging.
If we look at the stats, over 30% of entrepreneurs suffer from depression at some point in their lives. As you mentioned, Saki, at the beginning of this discussion, there is a huge number of people affected by mental issues. One in three people might experience some form of mental health issue in their lifetime. At SADAG, we provide therapies with easier accessibility. There is a high stigma around mental illness, especially if you are struggling with your mental well-being. However, there is help out there.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The success of your business depends on your mental health. As Fatima pointed out, there is free help available for you. If you or someone you know needs assistance with dealing with depression and anxiety, you can contact:
LifeLine South Africa National Counselling Line:
Available 24 hours, seven days a week, LifeLine deals with various mental and emotional issues affecting individuals, groups, and communities. You can contact LifeLine at 0800 012 322.
Cipla Mental Health Helpline:
If you would like to speak to a counsellor about any challenges you are experiencing, you can contact the Cipla Mental Health Helpline at 0800 456 789 or SMS 31 393. The line is available 24 hours, seven days a week, and calls are free of charge.
The UNISA Psychotherapy Clinic:
The UNISA Psychotherapy Clinic provides free face-to-face counselling services, including individual therapy, child therapy, couples therapy, and family and group therapy. Counselling takes place at the UNISA Main Campus, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. To book counselling sessions, email psychclinic@unisa.ac.za or phone 073 387 0639.