A new study conducted by Lyra Southern Africa shows that young people in South Africa are increasingly seeking mental health support due to pressure caused by unemployment, financial difficulties, and workplace stress.
Overview of the Mental Health Problem
Young people in South Africa are facing an increasingly complex mental health crisis as the combination of rising cost of living, job issues, and growing family responsibilities creates an unprecedented level of stress. Data from Lyra Southern Africa indicates that while more young people are actively using employer-sponsored wellness programs, the pressure on their well-being is becoming significantly more multifaceted as they go through different life stages.
The study results are based on an analysis of over 32,000 employee cases aged 19 to 40, as well as over 2,500 dependent cases related to Employee Wellness Programs. This provides insight into how mental health issues develop from adolescence to mid-career.
Systemic Nature of Support
Thubukile Mugumbate, Business Analytics and Consulting Manager at Lyra Southern Africa, emphasized that youth well-being extends far beyond individual employees. According to her, support for youth in South Africa does not exist in isolation; workplace programs show that help extends not only to the employee but also to the household, as a young person's consultation often reflects pressure existing within a broader family system.
Positive Trends and Stress Factors
The study identified encouraging signs of young South Africans being willing to seek help: nearly half of all cases among youth demonstrated clinically significant improvement after intervention. Furthermore, Lyra manages about 98 cases daily through its programs, along with over 34,500 calls under the Employee Wellness Program. Nevertheless, the statistics also highlight the growing scale of the mental health burden in the country.
Stressors vary depending on age groups. For dependents and employees under 21, academic pressure, identity formation, trauma, and family instability dominate. Among the 22 to 30 age group, financial pressure and relationship issues intensify alongside ongoing mental health challenges. For employees aged 31 to 40, these difficulties are exacerbated by accumulated family responsibilities, long-term financial obligations, and work stress.
Work-Life Balance
Despite the differences, stress and anxiety remain the most common mental health issues across all age categories. Mugumbate noted that youth face different realities depending on their life stage, but the common thread is pressure. She added that many young professionals are forced to juggle further education with career building. Many young professionals in South Africa pursue part-time postgraduate studies while managing their first job, leading to turnover and burnout noted in the data.
Accessibility and Confidentiality of Care
The study reflects broader national concerns related to persistently high youth unemployment, rising cost of living, and increased awareness of mental health issues among the younger generation. Many young employees start working already bearing financial responsibilities and expectations to contribute to household income, leaving little room for a traditional transition at early career stages. It was also found that youth value confidentiality when receiving support: over half of counseling sessions take place over the phone, and almost a third in person. Moreover, about 90% of all cases are self-referrals, indicating a preference for confidential and accessible support.
Impact on the Workplace
The impact of increasing personal pressure is becoming increasingly noticeable in the workplace. Presenteeism—the situation where employees are physically present but emotionally and mentally overloaded—has become a leading workplace issue across all youth age groups. According to Lyra's data, such employees often struggle with high workloads while managing financial stress, relationship problems, and complex family circumstances. Financial pressure, although not always the primary reason for seeking consultation, often acts as a significant factor contributing to anxiety, decision-making, and long-term well-being.
Recommendations for Employers
Mugumbate believes that employers need to move beyond generic wellness initiatives and tailor support to different life stages. She argues that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach does not work, as the needs of a 20-year-old newcomer and a 35-year-old supporting a family differ greatly. The expert suggests that earlier intervention can significantly improve outcomes. If support is aligned with the realities faced by youth and made accessible not only to employees but also to their families, significant changes can be achieved. Since the results are positive when youth seek help, the focus must now be on earlier outreach and support that reflects the full context of their lives.
