New findings show younger South Africans are changing the conversation around mental health.
While younger South Africans are increasingly seeking professional support and engaging more openly with mental healthcare services, stigma and financial pressure continue to prevent many people from accessing the care they need.
These findings form part of Mediclinic’s newly launched Generational Health Survey, which explores how South Africans of different generations think about and manage their health. The research included respondents from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Limpopo and the Western Cape.
“Much of the health data we use today may not always reflect the experiences of communities in South Africa,” says Braam Joubert, Chief Executive Officer of Mediclinic Southern Africa. “The findings support trends we see in our hospitals, while also giving us a broader view of how people beyond our existing patient base experience and think about their health. This survey provides a unique local source of reference and represents the start of a journey where we can begin to accumulate richer, relevant knowledge.”
The mental health findings show that younger South African respondents engage more often with mental healthcare providers, with Millennials and Gen Z more open to receiving treatment. Just under one in four Gen Z respondents reported that they occasionally access a mental healthcare provider. Overall, 45% of respondents said they had never accessed a mental healthcare provider, with this trend particularly evident among Gen X and Baby Boomers.
The findings also reveal that Gen Z reports the highest prevalence of diagnosed mental health conditions across almost every category measured, with addiction and PTSD among the most commonly reported conditions.
According to Dr Leandri Hattingh, Mediclinic’s National Manager of Mental Health, this is not necessarily surprising given that younger generations are engaging more actively with mental healthcare services and are therefore more likely to receive an official diagnosis when support is needed.
“This increased engagement, however, has not removed the widespread stigma around mental healthcare,” adds Hattingh, who notes that while seven in 10 Gen Z respondents believe mental health should be prioritised, more than one in three expressed concerns about being judged by their friends or family. However, the survey found that stigma is not limited to younger people: 32% of Gen X respondents and 34% of Baby Boomers perceived mental health conditions as a sign of weakness.
These findings, she says, reinforce the importance of ensuring support remains accessible. “While it is encouraging to see younger South Africans seeking support more readily than previous generations, awareness alone is not enough. We must continue creating environments where people feel safe discussing their mental health and confident accessing professional help when they need it.”
The survey results also highlight the significant role that financial pressure plays in shaping mental wellbeing. Across every generation, financial stress emerged as the leading contributor to poorer mental health, cited by between 59% and 66% of respondents.
“Other influences, including family circumstances, physical activity, employment, social media and global events, varied according to life stage, but financial strain consistently ranked as the most significant negative influence on mental wellbeing regardless of age,” says Hattingh, who notes that health is shaped by more than age alone. “It is influenced by the choices we make, the environments we live in and the support available to us throughout our lives.”
While mental wellbeing forms an important part of the Generational Health Survey findings, Joubert notes that it is just one component of a much broader picture. “From preventative healthcare and routine check-ups to screening habits and gender-specific health, each generation brings its own experiences, concerns and expectations. The Generational Health Survey allows us to better understand these differences while also identifying the attitudes and behaviours South Africans share,” he says.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to health. An individual's history, genetics, lifestyle and life stage all shape their healthcare needs and priorities. By sharing these findings publicly, we hope to support more open conversations among families and communities, help reduce stigma and contribute to better-informed healthcare decisions and healthier generations to come,” concludes Joubert.
For further information, please contact:
Mediclinic Southern Africa
Nokuzola Plaatjie: Senior Manager, Corporate Communication
Email: media@mediclinic.co.za
Tel: 021 809 6500