Running a business is one of the most stressful jobs out there, and as an entrepreneur, I can personally attest to the weight it places on one’s mental well-being. The pressure to succeed, the constant problem-solving, and the unpredictability of the business environment can take a heavy toll on mental health. It’s not something that we, as business owners, often talk about, but it’s crucial to address.
According to the World Health Organisation, over 720,000 people die from suicide globally each year. South Africa ranks ninth in the world for its suicide rate, which is alarming. This statistic hits home for entrepreneurs, as we are more vulnerable to mental health challenges than many may realise. Research shows that entrepreneurs are twice as likely to suffer from depression and anxiety compared to the general population. We face high levels of uncertainty, financial pressure, and isolation, which can contribute to poor mental health outcomes.
In one of our recent XSpaces sessions, we hosted the second installment of the topic, “Mental Health in Business,” and had an enlightening discussion with a panel of experts who shared their experiences and insights. Here’s a summary of some of the key speakers and their thoughts.
Vuyolwethu Tuluma
Vuyolwethu, a clinical psychologist with a decade of experience, has been practising since 2014. In 2016, she established her private practice, complementing her work in a state psychiatric institution. She deals with a wide range of mental health conditions, helping individuals navigate their wellness journey. She’s also an author, having published a self-help book titled The Awakened Couple in 2021. Her daily work involves both individual and group therapy, and she frequently shares her expertise on mental health through various community and national radio stations.
Angela Deh
Angela is another clinical psychologist with a passion for guiding people towards healing and emotional well-being. Her therapeutic approach blends compassion with creativity, offering a unique perspective, especially on cultural expressions of mental illness, relationship therapy, and sexual health. As an entrepreneur herself, Angela understands the challenges business owners face and emphasises the importance of thinking “out of the box” when it comes to tackling depression and anxiety in a business environment.
Amanda Gifford
Amanda is a registered Arts Therapist specialising in Drama Therapy. She runs a private practice in Johannesburg and has extensive qualifications, including a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Amanda incorporates family constellations into her practice, which adds a unique dimension to her therapeutic methods. With her extensive experience, she provides a holistic approach to mental health, recognising the interplay between family dynamics and individual well-being.
Nosipho Mkhwanazi
Nosipho is a highly experienced psychologist and social worker with a background in education and student support services. She has worked with various institutions, including the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban University of Technology, where she honed her skills in academic development and psychological research. Nosipho’s broad expertise allows her to offer comprehensive support for mental health in both educational and therapeutic settings.
Host: Vuyolwethu, let’s start with you. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Vuyolwethu: I’m a clinical psychologist and have been practising since 2014, so it’s been around ten years now. I’m based in the Eastern Cape and have worked for the state for many years, mainly in a psychiatric institution where we deal with various mental health conditions. I also run my own private practice, where I treat a wide range of mental health issues and help people navigate their mental wellness.
Host: Thank you, Vuyolwethu. Angela, let’s move over to you.
Angela: Thanks, Saki, and thank you to TransformSA for hosting this important discussion. I’m a clinical psychologist and have been in private practice for several years. Before this, I was an entrepreneur, so this is actually my second career, what I consider my “retirement” career. I’m nearly sixty now and still passionate about what I do. I tend to think outside the box, which is something all entrepreneurs are encouraged to do. In South Africa’s current environment, this is especially important, particularly in addressing depression and anxiety, which I encounter daily in my practice.
Host: Thank you, Angela. Amanda, welcome to the show. Could you introduce yourself?
Amanda: Thanks, Saki. I am a registered arts therapist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, which is a relatively new field here. It encompasses therapies like music, movement, and drama. I’m also a counselling psychologist, specialising in family constellations. I have been practising in Johannesburg for about 20 years and have worked in various settings, including prisons, corporates, and NGOs. I have my own private practice, and over the years, I have gained extensive experience working with diverse groups.
Host: Angela, can you broadly share your views on mental health issues?
Angela: Well, let me start by saying that mental struggles are often brushed aside or ignored, which can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and, as you mentioned earlier, an increased risk of suicide. Mental health disorders are a serious issue in South Africa. Depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and substance abuse are the most prevalent concerns we deal with daily. My particular interest lies in cultural expressions of mental illness, especially in South Africa, where traditional healers and healing practices play a role. I work from a feminist perspective and am fascinated by how culture impacts our day-to-day paradigms. I believe that with the right resources and support, businesses can foster a culture that prioritises mental health and wellbeing, leading to healthier, happier employees.
Host: Entrepreneurs are typically drivers of innovation and hold leadership positions, which makes it difficult for them to see themselves as needing help. Do you find this to be a challenge?
Angela: In my practice, I primarily work with people who have access to medical aid, which usually means they’re employed. Many startup entrepreneurs don’t have that kind of access, depending on the stage of their business. Entrepreneurs often face financial, emotional, and mental insecurities, even if they appear confident on the surface. As they mature, they realise the importance of taking care of their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Host: Do you think mental health issues are particularly severe among entrepreneurs?
Angela: There’s still a strong stigma around mental health, especially in leadership positions. I’m passionate about the idea of finding strength in vulnerability. Unfortunately, cultural norms, particularly around men needing to be stoic and strong, make it hard for people to show vulnerability. However, many have found better mental health by embracing the idea that it’s okay to not always be strong.
Host: Vuyolwethu, can you share more about your work and the kind of issues you encounter?
Vuyolwethu: I work in the Eastern Cape, primarily in a rural context, serving people from these areas. My days can be quite busy as I work both in public hospitals and run a private practice. I frequently deal with trauma and stress, and many of my clients face work-related triggers. A lot of mental health issues arise from a lack of self-awareness or a strong sense of self. Starting a business can exacerbate these struggles, especially if someone lacks confidence or has unresolved childhood trauma. These factors often affect how they manage stress and their mental health overall.
Host: What are some signs that someone is struggling with a sense of self?
Vuyolwethu: There are certain behavioural signs that indicate someone is battling with their sense of self. For example, substance abuse is a common sign. You might also notice difficulties in communication. Take a business owner, for instance—if they can’t resolve issues within their business, it could stem from a lack of communication skills. Financial struggles can also be linked to substance abuse, where poor decisions are made due to these underlying issues.
Host: Amanda, let me give you an opportunity to reflect on Vuyolwethu’s contribution.
Amanda: As I listen to this conversation, I’m struck by how much we have to navigate in our lives—our fields of work, our surroundings, our minds, and our businesses. It’s overwhelming at times. The question becomes: where do we even begin to prioritise? When I think of the sense of self, I realise that so many people have lost touch with who they truly are. We live in an era of the Internet of Things, where everything is interconnected, and it can feel like we’re part of a matrix. Are we consciously choosing what defines us, or are we allowing others to dictate our identity based on external influences?
Host: On your profile, it mentions that you’re involved in arts therapy. I’m curious to know, how does that work?
Amanda: I didn’t want to focus solely on traditional talk therapy; I wanted to do something more creative. I studied drama at UCT, and I found it incredibly therapeutic. It helped me break out of isolation and shyness, boosted my confidence, and gave me a sense of community through the collaborative nature of drama. After that, I became a teacher for a while, working in school theatre. However, I encountered so many mental health issues among students, and I felt I couldn’t truly reach them as just a teacher—I wanted to go deeper. So, I pursued a master’s degree in drama, specialising in psychotherapy, to combine creativity with therapy.
Host: What are your thoughts on what Amanda has shared with us?
Amanda: I really appreciate the idea of intuition and thinking outside the box. For me, trauma, anxiety, and depression often manifest physically, as if the body is somehow altered by these experiences. Therapies like art and drama help reconnect us with a sense of safety through play. They allow us to tap into our childlike vulnerability and creativity, which can be deeply healing. I’ve enjoyed exploring these approaches from that perspective.