“I Don’t Want to End Up in the Psych Ward”: SA Man Quits Job to Protect His Mental Health

• A gent opened up about quitting his job in a touching video making rounds online, and peeps were left in their feelings
• In the clip, the guy shared how his work took a huge toll on his mental health, and it gained massive traction
• South Africans could relate to the man's struggle as they rushed to the comments to share their own experiences
• Briefly News spoke to spoke to psychologist and relationship expert Penny Holburn on the negative impact of an unhealthy working environment on an individual

One man in Mzansi chose his health over his job. In a viral video, the gent got candid about quitting his work.

Man quits job to protect his mental health, shares how it affected him

The gent, who goes by the TikTok handle @boikanyo_melokwe, shared with his viewers that on 1 July 2024, he resigned from his call centre job. The man said he went through a lot because of his work.

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@boikanyo_melokwe revealed that he was always in and out of the doctor's office as he was consuming anxiety, antidepressants and sleeping pills. His work led him to smoke "excessively" so that he could cope.

In the process, he lost weight and began writing motivational notes to help him cope. While speaking on the management side of things, he said the following:

"Management, yho, toxic can write a best-selling book about that."

The young man said the salary he was paid each month was "useless," but he was grateful for his girlfriend, whom he said was his "anchor" during the challenging moments. His last night shift was on 28 July 2024, and he shared that he felt "lightweight and sudden relief."

"This was a difficult decision, but my mental health was at stake. I didn't wanna end up at the psych ward," he said in his video.

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Watch the video below:

Negative impact of an unhealthy working environment on an individual

While speaking to Briefly News, psychologist and relationship expert Penny Holburn shared the following signs that indicate that your job may be taking a significant toll on your mental health:

• Health problems such as getting colds and flu often, stomach problems, or poor sleep are typical.
• Dreading getting up in the morning to come to work is also a common symptom.
• Onset of anxiety and depression.
• Work performance deteriorates, taking too long to complete tasks, procrastinating, and problems concentrating.

"If you are in a toxic work environment, the reality is that most people leave to find a non-toxic work environment. Ideally, your first steps are to contact HR, discuss the situation, and look at what can be done to fix it. Often, people in a toxic department will look for a job in another department in the company," she said.

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Penny advised people to do the following when they are facing a toxic work environment:

"Individuals can also take some steps to look after themselves, get counselling if needed, and avoid toxicity as much as possible. If it looks like the toxic environment will not change, even after raising the concern, then the best is to find another job and leave."

What are the early warning signs that someone's job may be taking a significant toll on their mental health?

"You can only be at your most productive if your mental health is good. Given this, it is surprising how little attention most companies give to their employees’ mental health. Management can play a huge role in worsening or supporting employees’ mental health," Penny expressed.

How can companies create a supportive environment that prioritises mental health while still maintaining productivity?

"A work environment where management is critical, and staff are bullied and threatened will harm mental health. One where management is supportive, openly communicates, and is committed to helping the employees be the best they can be will mental health be good."

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Mzansi feels for the man

The gent's story touched South Africans, and many shared their experiences in a toxic work environment.

Nokwanda Madonsela said:

"On my last day, when I resigned from a call centre, I swore at all the rude customers. Yoh! That was the best day of my life; you swore on the line, and I swore back and I laughed. Ey kwakumnandi shame."

Karabo phetla shared:

"I can relate. I'm currently jobless after quitting. God is alive, He sees, He is present, He listens, so just talk to Him. Congratulations for leaving, all the best with with your health."

Queen Protea wished the man well, saying:

"Your next job will be a joy to go to, the environment will be calm and supportive."

Seta Maapola commented:

"I’m terribly sorry that you went through this, my king, I’m so proud of you."

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Briefly News previously reported that a young lady shared her emotional journey of quitting her job, and people were touched by her story.

A young lady's story melted hearts in Mzansi. The lady, who goes by the TikTok handle @honeyvundisa2, opened up about leaving her workplace.

Source: Briefly News