Financial strain is the main factor contributing to poor mental health across all generations in South Africa, a new generational health survey by private healthcare group Mediclinic shows. Between 59% and 66% of respondents cited financial stress as a cause of mental ill‑health.
High cost and stigma limit access to care
The survey, drawn from residents across Gauteng, KwaZulu‑Natal, the Free State, Limpopo and the Western Cape, found that 45% of respondents have never accessed a mental healthcare provider. Mediclinic said this is partly because people cannot afford services and partly due to the continuing stigma attached to mental illness.
Mediclinic Southern Africa CEO Braam Joubert said the research aimed to provide a locally relevant reference for health trends beyond the provider’s patient base. In a statement he described the study as "the start of a journey to build richer, relevant knowledge."
"Much of the health data used today may not always reflect the experiences of communities in South Africa," the company quoted Joubert as saying.
Generational differences in help‑seeking and attitudes
Engagement with mental healthcare varied by generation. The report shows:
- Millennials (born 1981–1996) made up 28% of the sample and are more likely to engage with mental healthcare providers.
- Gen Z (born 1997–2012) also accounted for 28% and reported higher openness to treatment; seven in 10 Gen Z respondents said mental health should be prioritised.
- Gen X (born 1965–1980), 28% of the sample, and Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964), 16%, were the groups most likely to report never having accessed mental healthcare.
Mediclinic’s national manager of mental health, Leandri Hattingh, highlighted stigma as a cross‑generational barrier. The report found that more than one in three Gen Z respondents feared being judged by friends or family, while 32% of Gen Xers and 34% of Baby Boomers perceived stigma around mental illness.
Context and consequences for services
The findings come against a backdrop of rising living costs, which the report links to broader geopolitical tensions that have put upward pressure on fuel and other essential prices. Financial insecurity is therefore not only a social or economic concern but also an acute health determinant affecting demand for mental healthcare.
Because nearly half of respondents have never accessed mental health services, and cost is cited as a key barrier, the survey raises questions about equity of access. If those most affected by financial stress avoid care because of affordability or fear of stigma, unmet need may remain high and could increase pressure on emergency and primary care services.
Mediclinic said the survey results align with trends seen in its hospitals but aim to broaden understanding outside its existing patient base. The company drew attention to the need for richer local data to inform planning and services.
| Generation | Share of sample | Notable finding |
|---|---|---|
| Gen Z (1997–2012) | 28% | 70% say mental health should be prioritised; concerns about judgement |
| Millennials (1981–1996) | 28% | More frequent engagement with mental healthcare |
| Gen X (1965–1980) | 28% | 32% perceive stigma; many never accessed services |
| Baby Boomers (1946–1964) | 16% | 34% perceive stigma; many never accessed services |
What this means for readers
- Financial pressure is a leading driver of mental distress for people across age groups in South Africa.
- Cost and stigma remain significant barriers to seeking mental healthcare.
- Young adults show greater willingness to access care, but concerns about judgement persist.
The survey highlights the need for policy and service responses that address affordability, expand accessible care and reduce stigma. People experiencing mental health concerns are advised to consult a registered healthcare professional, community clinic or their doctor rather than self‑diagnosing.
