“Socioeconomic Issues Are Mental Health Issues”

Clinical psychologists Beulah Marks and Dr Shahieda Jansen discuss how socioeconomic issues can cause mental health distress.


Please note that this episode makes reference to sexual exploitation and substance abuse. You can contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s Counselling Hotline on 0800 567 567.

Show Notes

This episode mentioned the followingtopics, people and resources:

Socioeconomic challenges

In the show, Beulah and Shahieda mentioned unemployment, hunger and sexual exploitation as some of the socioeconomic issues that undermine mental health. Others include crime, homelessness and access to healthcare.

The debate about quality public healthcare continues with the National Healthcare Insurance.
Alcoholism continues to plague communities.
Promises to resolve unemployment and crime issues top 2024 election posters.
makeshift-tent
Unhoused Capetonians sleep in the city centre.
man-walks-past sign
Middle-class neighbourhoods continue to pay for private security to combat crime.

About Episode Guests

Dr Shahieda Jansen is a clinical psychologist and Deputy Director of Academic and ICT Support at the University of South Africa in the Western Cape. Her book, Masculinity Meets Humanity: An Adapted Model of Masculinised Psychotherapy, was published in 2022.

Beulah Marks is a clinical psychologist with experience in the private and public health system, as well as in education. She previously worked within the Office for Inclusivity and Change at the University of Cape Town. She runs her private practice, Sage Therapy, in Cape Town.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Shahieda and Beulah talk about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in this episode. This is a relatively well-known framework that explains the interaction between various human needs.

Self-actualisation is traditionally shown at the top of Maslow’s Hierarchy as the ultimate goal of a fulfilled human. However, in advising on the diagram below, Beulah noted that research shows that in some cultures, belonging may be rated higher than self-actualisation. (We discuss the importance of belonging in many African cultures in an episode with Shahieda on the case for support groups).

Diagram showing Maslow's hierarchy of needs
This diagram depicts Maslow’s hierarchy of needs framework. Source: Rainbow Inclusion Brisbane

Support Groups for Socioeconomic Issues

There are a number of support groups around socioeconomic issues. These are peer-to-peer meetings where people affected by the same issue gather to provide mutual support.

In our episode Is A Support Group for You? Beulah explains what a support group is and when it could work for you.

Listen Here

There are 12 different support groups on socioeconomic issues currently running in South Africa. They’re free to join and offer excellent support for managing stress caused by systemic issues.

Find a Group here

General Mental Health Support Available

  • South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s Counselling Hotline: 0800 567 567 (toll-free and 24/7)
  • Ke Moja WhatsApp Chat Platform: 087 163 2025 (available 8am to 5pm, 7 days a week)
    This is an initiative of SADAG and the Department of Social Development.

Transcription

You can access a transcription here.