Rethinking Mental Health Care in South Africa

Life insurers have a significant contribution to make towards the destigmatisation of mental health in South Africa. This extends from how the industry underwrites mental health conditions, to how insurers can support a change in the perceptions surrounding mental health.

These considerations, amongst others, were raised at the Investec Life's Reimagine Mental Health Symposium which was hosted in partnership with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). Conversations with specialist panellists from the medical and insurance fields, together with Grammy Award winner and international DJ and music producer, Black Coffee, brought to light the need for a redefined role for employers and life insurers in helping people manage their mental health without the fear and stigma historically linked to mental illness.

Enabling a positive impact within the life insurance industry

“The impact of mental health on societies and economies is becoming increasingly serious. Our mental health symposium has started a conversation about an issue that we feel is critical. As life insurers, when it comes to the realities of mental health, we have to be more proactive in our support of clients and more educational around our solutions,” said Sinenhlanhla Sithomo, Head of Insurance Business at Investec Life.

The second pandemic to come out of Covid-19 was the mental health pandemic. “It’s a condition that challenges traditional models currently used in the life insurance industry, which are geared towards insuring health conditions that are more easily measured,” added Sithomo. 

Expanding on how life insurers can make a real difference, Cassey Chambers, Operations Director for SADAG, said so much has happened in the last few years and it is important to create a platform where we can discuss the current status of mental health, especially with regards to the impact and effect in the workplace and on the economy. 

Getting our minds accurately around the challenge

When it comes to reimagining mental health and life insurance there are many issues to consider, added Kaylash Rama, Head of Underwriting at Investec Life. “With mental health issues having a significant impact on overall health, it’s time to challenge the industry. The business imperative of this impact is not just affecting our clients but the sector as a whole, particularly from an underwriting perspective,” she said.

Also speaking at the symposium, Professor Stoffel Grobler, Psychiatrist at Corporate Mental Health Company, indicated that one in four women and one in six men in South Africa will have a depressive episode, while one in five will have an anxiety disorder, but often these illnesses go untreated. He went on to state that medical doctors are five times more likely to have a depressive episode.

“There are only 469 psychiatrists in the country and around 3,000 to 4,000 psychologists. The reality is that there aren’t enough specialists to fill the gap that currently exists, and with this in mind, we need to look at different ways to deliver service in primary healthcare facilities,” he explained.

Conversations emerging from Investec Life’s Reimagine Mental Health Symposium were aligned with a recent call by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) for “concrete actions to address mental health concerns in the working population". The WHO noted that an estimated 12 billion workdays are lost annually due to depression and anxiety costing the global economy nearly US$ 1 trillion.

In conclusion, Sithomo said, “Through this symposium we wanted to not only raise red flags for life insurance providers to consider in terms of how we better manage and support people experiencing mental health conditions, but to identify green flags on how we can break its stubborn stigma in society. We have seen a real commitment to rise up which can make for a healthier mindset on all things mental health - and that is the start we need.” 

Investec Life Limited, a member of the Investec Group, is a licensed insurer (Reg.No. 1944/017130/06) and an authorised FSP (47702). Terms and conditions apply.