SASOP raises concerns around the mental health of first responders

With Mental Health Month drawing to a close, the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) has raised concerns around the mental health of first responders.

The organisation said that the nature of these jobs could take a toll on the mental health of employees in the sector.

It said between 2024 and 2025, 54 police officers died by suicide.

The society’s Dr Lerato Masenya said that depression, anxiety and PTSD had become common in first responders. 

"They experience depression, anxiety, PTSD and burnout at rates that are significantly higher than the national average. So, let's take depression, for example. In a survey that was done, half of the first responders that were surveyed would qualify for a diagnosis of depression compared to just 9.8% of the general population."

Masenya added that these conditions would affect their ability to do their job.

"We see the same trend with post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as anxiety, with 37.8% of first responders would qualify for a diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder, compared to 15.8%."