Broadcast date: 17 September 2025
Guest: Dr Melané van Zyl – Member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists
Hosts: Radio Islam
Introduction
The mental health of South Africa’s police officers is facing a crisis. On average, one member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) dies by suicide every week, highlighting the intense pressures faced by first responders in an overworked and under-resourced system. In the 2024-2025 reporting period alone, 54 SAPS members took their own lives, contributing to a rising trend that has seen 300 police suicides in the past seven years.
To shed light on this growing issue, Radio Islam International recently spoke with Dr. Melané van Zyl, a member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, about the challenges confronting first responders and the urgent need for better mental health support.
Radio Islam discusses SAPS mental health care
Work-Related Stress and Its Personal Toll
Dr. van Zyl explains that while pinpointing the exact causes of suicide is complex, research and clinical experience show a significant link between policing and mental health challenges.
“A big part of these first-line responders’ distress comes from their work situation, the trauma that they’re exposed to, being tired, having to serve people, but not having support, not having resources,” she says.
The nature of police work exposes officers to high levels of trauma and stress. Dr. van Zyl emphasizes that this professional pressure often bleeds into personal life, leaving officers unsure where to turn when they begin experiencing symptoms of burnout, anxiety, or depression.
Existing Support Structures Fall Short
While the SAPS has made efforts to provide wellness services and government policies exist to support personnel, Dr. van Zyl points out that these measures are insufficient for the scale of the problem.
“The service that is available… there are 621 health and wellness employees to support 187,000 SAPS personnel members. So it is just impossible to get to everybody,” she notes.
The sheer mismatch between the number of officers and the wellness resources available means that many first responders go without the care they need.
Education and Empowerment as a Solution
Dr. van Zyl stresses the importance of education and self-awareness among first responders. She advocates for standardized procedures to help police officers recognize mental health challenges in themselves, including burnout and post-traumatic stress, and know exactly where to seek help.
“These first line responders will have to be educated to know where to go and instigate their own wellness,” she says.
In other words, empowering officers with knowledge and practical strategies is crucial, especially given the current shortage of wellness professionals.
Final Thoughts
The mental health crisis in South Africa’s police force underscores a broader issue: the urgent need for comprehensive support systems for first responders. As Dr. Melané van Zyl highlights, without proper education, resources, and access to care, the cycle of trauma and stress will continue to claim lives.
By raising awareness and implementing practical solutions, there is hope that first responders can receive the care they deserve and that tragedies can be prevented.