October is Mental Health Awareness Month, a timely reminder of the importance of taking care of one’s health and wellbeing. And while access to mental health resources is scarce for most South Africans, those with medical aid have a wealth of mental health benefits at their fingertips but are not taking full advantage of them. This underutilisation may stem from a lack of awareness of what benefits are available on their medical aid plans, but can also be linked to stigma surrounding mental health and wellbeing as well as negative social attitudes around mental illness. With mental health prevalence being a key concern in South Africa, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) anticipates that 1 in 3 South Africans will be diagnosed with a mental health condition in their lifetime. Recent SADAG research also shows that 52% of employed South Africans suffer with mental health conditions with burnout, depression and anxiety most prevalent. What’s more, SADAG reported receiving up to 3,000 calls per day to its helpline, with hundreds more emails, SMSs, WhatsApps and social media messages from people seeking help, resources and support. “Many people don’t realise that their medical aid includes mental health coverage,” says Dr Themba Hadebe, Clinical Executive at Bonitas. “The delay in finding the right help can cause manageable conditions to escalate, sometimes even requiring hospitalisation, but this can be avoided by ensuring those with medical aid are aware of and empowered to tap into their mental health benefits.” “We’ve seen that mental health admissions are highest among members aged 35 to 55, with females experiencing a higher rate of hospital admissions compared to males,” adds Dr Hadebe. “However, despite lower admission rates, males have a significantly higher risk of suicide, highlighting the importance of proactive mental health screening and early intervention for all members.” The importance of early intervention In light of South Africa’s ongoing and often silent mental health burdens, Bonitas has taken concrete steps to ensure its members use their mental health benefits to the fullest. Hadebe says that all Bonitas plans now include depression as a chronic condition, enabling easier access to treatment without added cost. “We have expanded our mental health programme, providing consultations with psychologists and psychiatrists, counselling sessions and stress management support. Members can access these services through the Bonitas app, which integrates with October Health, offering convenient and confidential care,” Hadebe says. To promote early intervention, Bonitas has made mental health a key focus of its preventative care and screening initiatives. Through these initiatives, members are encouraged to recognise symptoms early and access the support and treatment they need before conditions become more sever. Additionally, the scheme has also realigned its referral protocols with wellness screening providers to ensure members are promptly connected to support. “Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that benefits exist to help, but only if they are used. As a medical aid scheme, we have a responsibility to make mental health support accessible and visible,” says Hadebe, “which is why it is so crucial to break down stigma and ensuring members know how to use their benefits. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and early intervention can prevent more serious complications.”