Mental health in the workplace has been receiving increased global attention over recent years. As the world struggled with an unprecedented health crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, employees faced significant shifts in work life, escalating stress, and emerging mental health challenges. In South Africa, addressing mental health in the workplace is crucial due to unique socio-economic challenges. SADAG (2024) reports that 30% of employees in a recent survey showed signs and symptoms of depression, while 25% of employees were diagnosed with stress-related issues. This context highlights the critical need for focused attention on mental health at work. In response, SIOPSA established the Mental Health @ Work (MH@W) interest group in August 2024 to address these growing concerns. The group emphasises the unique role of Industrial and Organisational Psychologists (IOPs) in supporting mental well-being in the workplace, especially during crises and traumatic experiences at work, where IOPs are often the first line of contact for distressed employees. The interest groups are consistent with the Health Profession Council of South Africa’s mandated training requirements for IOPs that refer to short-term counselling and helping skills such as post-trauma counselling, crisis counselling, and job stress-related counselling (HPCSA, 2019).

During the 2024 SIOPSA annual conference (topic: Mindful Organisations, Productive People: Cultivating a Culture of Mental Health & Wellness) several initiatives were presented by the members of the interest group:

Pre-conference workshop:

Conference presentations from the interest group:

Conference Presentation: Contemporary Insights: The Role of Industrial Psychologists in Advancing Workplace Counselling Practices In South Africa. Sendry Moralo, Dr Thandiwe Gama, Prof Ophillia Ledimo.

Keynote presentation: Prof Lené Graupner.  Pathways To Employee Wellbeing: Replicable Strategies for Trauma Management.

Master tutorial: Addressing Burnout – A Workplace Counselling Masterclass. Marelie Botha, Carla du Plessis

Conference Presentation: Psychological Trauma In South Africa: Exploring Employees' Experiences in The Mining Sector. Dr Bouwer Jonker, Prof Lené Graupner, Prof Lizelle Rossouw

Panel discussion: Addressing Workplace Mental Health: Training IOP Interns for Success. Prof Lene Graupner, Marelie Botha, Sendry Moralo, Francois Lombard, Sherwyn Roussouw, Louise Coetzee.

CPD sessions

SHL Continuing Professional Development (CPD) webinar. Addressing the Mental Health and Well-Being of Employees. Sendry Moralo

SADAG. Mental health at work. Event for mental health awareness month. 10 October 2024.

Annual Trauma Management webinars:

For more events: https://www.siopsa.org.za/product-category/guest/

October- Mental Health Awareness Month presentations: