Food insecurity affecting mental health – Maile
Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile says the province is investigating the impact of food insecurity on mental health in South Africa.
Speaking at the Gauteng Agro-Processing Convention and Expo on Thursday, Maile said there is a direct link between access to food and psychological well-being.
"This event takes place during a month dedicated to mental health awareness, with a specific focus on mental illness,” Maile said.
"The month of July is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health conditions, reducing stigma, and promoting resources for support and treatment. It is an important month that we must observe as a government and as a nation."
He acknowledged that some may find the link between agro-processing and mental health unusual.
" I raise the subject to illustrate the significance of agro-processing, not only as a sub-sector of manufacturing, but as a critical instrument for tackling issues of food and nutrition security. Food security and mental health are closely intertwined.”
Maile warned that food insecurity, or the lack of reliable access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food, has a profound impact on mental well-being, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and depression.
"Conversely, mental health conditions can also affect an individual's ability to secure food, creating a cyclical relationship. A study by the National Health Institute confirms this finding.”
The two-day convention brings together industry leaders, SMMEs, financiers, investors, and policymakers to shape the future of agro-processing in Gauteng.
It aims to position the province as a leading agro-processing hub, focusing on innovation, enterprise development, and investment.
Maile said the government must now tackle food insecurity and mental health in tandem, as part of a broader effort to break the cycle of poverty and social distress.
"We have determined that food security and mental health share a profound relationship, influenced by multifaceted factors such as socioeconomic conditions, access to nutritious food, and broader societal inequalities.”
He also cited a study published in the journal Nutrients, which supports integrated strategies like urban farming, sustainable agriculture, and digital mental health services to improve food access and well-being.
Maile stressed that the needs of ordinary South Africans must guide investment in agro-processing.
"It is important for us, as a government, that when we discuss complex subjects such as agro-processing, and engage on ways to increase investment or unlock access to regional and global markets, we do not lose sight of what such interventions mean for the common man and woman.
"For us, agro-processing holds not just manufacturing and economic growth value, but also socio-economic and human development value.
"This is especially important in the context of Gauteng, where a persistent cost-of-living crisis has brought many families to the brink, with unemployment, food insecurity, and hunger being the most pronounced effects.
"Thus, the agro-processing industry provides an opportunity to address some of the most pressing challenges confronting the residents of our province, and a chance to build an economy that grows in the hands of the people.”
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