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HOW COMMON IS MENTAL ILLNESS AND BURNOUT AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN PROFESSIONALS AND WHAT ARE THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ?
Mental illness affects everyone , regardless of background or status . Professionals commonly face stress , burnout , depression and anxiety , with doctors being particularly vulnerable due to their caregiving roles . This can lead to unhealthy habits like people-pleasing , making it difficult to process personal emotions . Many avoid therapy , relying on self-help strategies until symptoms escalate . I encourage therapy as a safe space for exploring feelings , just as regular health checkups maintain overall well-being .
WHAT PRACTICAL WAYS CAN PROFESSIONALS SET BOUNDARIES FOR A HEALTHY WORK-LIFE BALANCE ?
Balancing work and personal life is crucial for growth . It requires personal development , kindness and strong boundaries to protect your time and space from potential exploitation . Effective time management is essential ; carve out time for enjoyable activities , take breaks and learn to say no for selfpreservation . Recognise your limits and focus on impactful efforts without overextending yourself .
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES IN YOUR LIFE AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM ?
While my career has been successful , I believe it could have taken a different path with proper mentorship during my studies and early research . Many young people miss out on valuable mentoring that provides essential advice , skills and encouragement to help them advance .
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES IN YOUR LIFE AND WHAT DID THEY ALLOW YOU TO DO ?
My parents were strong advocates for education , supporting my academic pursuits every step of the way . Their encouragement inspired me to obtain my fourth degree in 2019 . A highlight of my career was receiving an exchange scholarship to study research methodology at the University of California , Los Angeles , in 2015 . That experience was transformative and equipped me with skills that enabled me to complete my research quickly , culminating in my graduation from UKZN as the first black female psychiatrist with a PhD .
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU WERE EVER GIVEN AND WHO GAVE IT ?
The best advice I received came from my parents , who taught me to serve with a smile and show appreciation for everything I receive . This lesson was reinforced during my time in the UK , where I noticed that even wealthy patients expressed gratitude for my work . I learned that saying “ thank you ” has a powerful impact , cultivating appreciation and reducing entitlement . Gratitude enhances our well-being and it is important to teach children to express it with a smile .
WHAT IS THE BEST BIT OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS ?
My advice to students is that hard work is irreplaceable ; you achieve what you work for , not what you wish for . In a culture of entitlement , it is vital to emphasise the importance of effort . I encourage continuous self-development to enhance self-awareness and skills , which can lead to opportunities based on merit . For those facing personal challenges , I recommend using professional support services available at most institutions .
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