We pour our hearts out to doctors, psychologists, or social workers, hoping to lighten the heavy load of grief, physical challenges, or mental struggles that feel overwhelming. But who heals their wounds? Health For Mzansi journalist Vateka Halile speaks to health heroes to find out how they find the strength to keep going without breaking.
Balancing care and personal well-being
Seeing life and death up close is part of the job for Dr Bakang Kgaodi, a clinical fellow at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.
Working with some of the most challenging health issues can take a toll, and Kgaodi has not been immune to the emotional weight of his profession.
He shares that some common symptoms include sub-clinical and clinical depression, including low mood, loss of interest in usual activities (anhedonia), low energy, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
“It is extremely difficult to separate personal and work stresses, especially when things don’t go well.”
Dr Bakang Kgaodi
“Prayer and church have kept me grounded and provided the support and faith I needed to pull through,” he explains.
Kgaodi says the Covid-19 pandemic presented even greater challenges. “It was mentally challenging and emotionally draining. The healthcare service was stretched to its utmost limit.
“Fortunately, the hospital provided frequent ‘de-briefing’ sessions and ran an effective emotional support service for the healthcare team, patients, and their families.”
He notes that having accessible, confidential mental and emotional health support systems through staff welfare offices is key.
Combatting mental health burnout
Clinical psychologist Dr Jude Clark from Kleinmond in the Western Cape says, “The psychological impact of the last few years has been significant. Socio-economic challenges, violence, grief, loss, and thoughts of suicide have led many more people to seek support from therapists, counsellors, and practitioners of indigenous and spiritual well-being.”
She notes that the shift to online work post-Covid has increased both the number of hours mental health workers spend supporting others and the emotional and psychological intensity of the work.
Clark says it’s important to acknowledge that emotional labour, like physical labour, has an impact.
“It impacts us physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. We, as mental health carers, need to be mindful of that impact.”
Dr Jude Clark
“When we are using what little energy is left to do the work, we are not doing it well, and therefore not serving others nor ourselves as best we can.”
She says the signs include deep levels of ongoing fatigue, a preoccupation with clients’ issues and work (even outside of ‘work hours’), and spending less and less time on social activities and relationships.
Clark advises a simple way to address this is to be intentional about not taking your work home with you – emotionally or physically.
“Physical exercise is crucial to releasing what is stored in the body. Even seemingly simple things like eating healthily and drinking lots of water help.”
Balancing compassion and self-care
For Dr Nozuko Ludidi, a psychiatrist based in East London, putting patients first is something that brings satisfaction in her role as a mental health doctor.
She says it’s easy to prioritise work over well-being, especially when you become attached to patients.
“When you get attached to a certain patient, you can refer them to another doctor to withdraw the attachment.”
Dr Nozuko Ludidi
It’s important, she says, to separate yourself from your role as a doctor and only carry it with you when necessary.
“There are times when you find that you are taking this home.”
When faced with difficult cases, Ludidi unpacks with her colleagues. “You go for a run, offload before going home, disconnect so you can find yourself again.”
To regroup, she recommends, “A walk to the beach, a drive, playing music I love – it helps me reconnect with myself and leave the doctor role behind.”
She also finds that getting a massage once a week works wonders.
“Another thing that helps is dancing with my kids when I get home. It plays a vital role in easing daily stresses.”
Reflecting on her career, she says the Covid period was the toughest time in her life as a mental health doctor. “It’s only now that I realise how tough it was.”
Despite the challenges of that time, she finds comfort in knowing when patients were scared and in isolation, she was there to offer encouragement and hope.
ALSO READ: Take time out and beat burnout: You got this!
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