As we recognise October as Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa, it’s important to highlight the effects of mental health issues on individuals and families. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group reports that around 1 in 3 South Africans will face a mental health challenge at some point in their lives. It’s vital to understand that mental health struggles, including depression, can affect anyone – even those who work in the mental health field. We need to actively destigmatise mental health and foster open discussions about well-being.
ME, on Mental Health
One of my childhood memories is sitting on the floor, drawing a card for my dad’s birthday. I wanted to illustrate a picture of him doing his job. My late father was a psychiatrist, which is an interesting concept to grasp at five or six years old. I can’t recall the details, but I remember drawing a person sitting in a chair, holding their brain and crying, with my dad standing next to them in a white coat, his hand on their shoulder.
Some Saturday mornings, I would accompany him to the clinic, where I would play and chat with the nurses in the reception area while he checked on his patients. He never shared details of his work, but I learned from others that he helped sad people feel happy again.
The problem, however, was that sometimes my dad carried their sadness home with him. After a long day at the office, he would listen to loud music and pour himself a drink. He had an emergency “bleep” that disturbed him over the weekends, and we knew that when he was on a call, we must leave him alone.
There were many calls. I remember one time, on our way to go on holiday, he received a call from a suicidal patient. He had to pull over on the side of the road, and we waited for what felt like hours while he attended to the crisis. By the time he returned to the car, his eyes were red, and he was coughing and stubbing out a cigarette. We knew better than to say a word for the rest of the journey.
Why am I writing about all of this? Well, it’s probably because I really miss my dad. He passed away exactly six years ago at the age of 61. Although he had a heart attack and was unwell in the months preceding that, I believe he himself battled with depression, which led to certain behaviours, specifically smoking and drinking, that resulted in physical health problems.
Not surprisingly, when I did my own DNA tests and that of my family, the evidence showed that we carry higher-risk genetic combinations affecting mental health, including tendencies toward addiction and mood disorders due to unfavourable variants.
In becoming a nutrigenetics practitioner who analyses these results, I have learned that one can live better than their genetic predispositions. By understanding the underlying causes of our conditions, we can make better decisions – through targeted intervention strategies focusing on lifestyle and behaviours – and have a roadmap to reference.
Personally, I am still on that journey myself and always will be. I work hard to manage my mental health because I know what will happen if I don’t. I try to exercise daily, whether it’s walking the dogs, going to the gym, playing tennis, or boxing. I make sure to eat foods that support my mood – healthy fats like avocado, nuts, olives, pumpkin, and chia seeds. I continually learn, play music, and try to meditate at least once a day. I also go for regular therapy sessions that help me process my thoughts, gain new perspectives, and develop healthier coping strategies. It takes work and dedication, but what doesn’t? I always say, choose your hard. My dad will always be in my DNA – and that makes me happy – but I refuse to repeat his script. If you don’t make time for your health now, you’ll be forced to make time for your illness later.
Be kind to your mind. Seek help if you feel sad, anxious, or completely overwhelmed. Consider getting your genes tested. Always remember to take care of yourself well.