'Year-end fatigue' posing risk to South Africans' mental hea
As the year draws to an end, year-end fatigue becomes a challenge for some workers who are battling deadlines and a high-pressure work environment.
Jacaranda FM News caught up with a clinical psychologist, Anele Siswana, to delve into the psychological and mental impact of year-end fatigue and other workplace mental health challenges.
According to Siswana, year-end fatigue is a common phenomenon characterised by extreme weariness and a sense of being overwhelmed.
“This fatigue often stems from prolonged stress and overwork, leading to physical, emotional, and psychological exhaustion. Symptoms include chronic tiredness, irritability, low motivation, and difficulty concentrating,” she explained.
There is a range of psychological-social and particularly work-related factors that contribute to the presentation of year-end fatigue.
“Year-end fatigue is often caused by a combination of factors that accumulate throughout the year, leading to both physical and mental exhaustion. Key contributors include lifestyle factors such as Irregular sleep patterns, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition, which can exacerbate feelings of fatigue. Overindulgence in alcohol and stimulants also disrupts sleep and energy levels,” Siswana added.
Some of the contributing factors include mental health issues (stress, anxiety, and depression), workplace stress (high workloads, tight deadlines, and job dissatisfaction) and physical health conditions (chronic illnesses or conditions like anaemia or diabetes).
The recent tragedy at the headquarters of Standard Bank, where a staff member fell from the 6th floor, has again raised concerns about the mental well-being of South African workers.
Siswana urged employers to adopt innovative strategies to enhance their workers’ mental health, such as mental health training, employee assistance programmes, flexible work arrangements and wellness initiatives.
“Work organisations must prioritise the mental health of its employees, meaning that employers need to create a conducive environment for employees to thrive and feel supported,” Siswana told Jacaranda FM News.
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