October Health – 2025 Report
55-64 Demographic in South Africa
For the age group 55-64 in South Africa, leading causes of stress often include financial insecurity (especially relating to retirement planning), unemployment or the pressure to stay employed in a competitive job market, health concerns (personal and family-related), and caregiving responsibilities, particularly in a country with intergenerational households and high rates of illness such as HIV/AIDS.
How mental health affects the 55-64 demographic differently
- Retirement concerns: Worry over financial readiness and adapting to life after work.
- Health challenges: Increased awareness of physical and mental health issues as aging progresses.
- Job security: Fear of being replaced or undervalued due to age bias in the workplace.
- Caregiving responsibilities: Balancing care for aging parents, partners, or grandchildren.
- Work-life balance: Struggling to adapt to changes in energy levels while maintaining performance.
- Adapting to technology: Stress from keeping up with rapid workplace tech advancements.
- Social isolation fears: Anxiety about losing social contact post-retirement.
Encourage workplaces to offer mental health support like group therapy, retirement workshops, and resources like October's digital mental health tools to address these challenges.
Data from October Health
What's driving mental health stresses for the 55-64 demographic in South African?
Proactive mental fitness for high performance staff.
Understand the stresses and workplace challenges of your staff and provide them with the tools to protect their productivity and mental health.