When we talk about mental health in the workplace, the conversation usually centres on employees navigating heavy workloads, long hours and post-pandemic burnout. And rightly so. But there is one group that is often left out of the discussion: senior leaders.
While many organisations have taken important steps to support staff, mental health challenges do not stop at the boardroom door. From interns to executives, everyone is navigating pressure. Yet those at the very top are often expected to carry the weight of entire organisations while appearing calm, composed and in control.
The Silent Crisis: Why Executive Burnout is Rising
According to the Employee Assistance Professionals Association of South Africa (EAPA-SA), more than half of South African employees report experiencing a mental health condition. Their data shows that 32% have experienced depression, 25% clinical stress and 18% anxiety. Research from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) highlights just how widespread workplace strain has become. Their study found that 60% of employees wish they could quit their jobs, while half say they dread the start of each work week.
At the same time, senior leaders are quietly battling their own challenges. The concept of executive isolation describes the chronic loneliness many CEOs and top-tier leaders experience. The pressure to appear strong and decisive often discourages vulnerability, leaving many without a safe space to talk about their struggles. Ironically, while executives may have greater access to premium healthcare, the stigma around speaking openly about mental health can still prevent them from seeking support.
“Mental health challenges don’t discriminate by job title,” says Jaco Oosthuizen, MD and co-founder of YuLife South Africa.
“Leaders are under pressure to make tough decisions in unpredictable environments and often carry the emotional load of entire organisations, while having no space to talk about their own mental health. This is simply not sustainable from a health and well-being perspective, yet not enough people seem to be addressing this problem,” says Oosthuizen.
READ MORE: Here’s Why Burnout Among Women Is A Bigger Issue Than You’d Think
Why Workplace Mental Health Must Include Leaders
In recent years, organisations have increasingly prioritised employee well-being programmes. Much of this shift came in response to the profound changes in work dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Burnout, absenteeism and high staff turnover became widespread concerns, forcing companies to recognise the direct impact of mental health on performance. As a result, many businesses now understand the value of investing in well-being initiatives that support retention, reduce healthcare costs and improve productivity. In fact, Deloitte reports a 4:1 return on investment for organisations that prioritise mental health.
However, while more employees are receiving support, executives are often overlooked. Part of the issue lies in outdated assumptions that senior leaders should simply absorb the pressure that comes with the role. The belief that high salaries should offset mental strain still persists in some corporate cultures. At the same time, many executives feel reluctant to show what might be perceived as weakness. The traditional narrative suggests that seniority comes with pressure and that pressure is simply part of the pay grade. In reality, this mindset can be both harmful and unsustainable.
“The reality is that leaders are navigating crises on all fronts, from economic instability and digital disruption to societal unrest, and all the while they’re expected to maintain a stoic front for their teams, their boards and their families,” says Oosthuizen. “This executive resilience myth quite simply neglects the reality that everyone has a breaking point.”
READ MORE: 5 Doctor-Approved Strategies To Finally Cope With Burnout
5 Red Flags Of Leadership Burnout You Shouldn’t Ignore
Burnout in leadership roles rarely appears overnight. Because executives are used to operating under pressure, the early warning signs can be easy to dismiss as simply part of the job. Paying attention to a few subtle shifts in behaviour and energy levels can help leaders recognise when stress is becoming unsustainable.
1. Decision fatigue
When leaders are responsible for high-stakes decisions daily, mental exhaustion can build quickly. Burnout may show up as difficulty concentrating, second-guessing decisions or struggling to prioritise what matters most.
2. Loss of motivation
A role that once felt stimulating may begin to feel draining. Leaders experiencing burnout often notice their enthusiasm fading, even when projects are successful or goals are achieved.
3. Constant mental load
Many executives report feeling unable to switch off after work. In a 2024 SADAG workplace survey, around 75% of employees said they struggle to disconnect after hours, highlighting how blurred boundaries contribute to ongoing stress.
4. Reduced patience
Chronic stress can shorten emotional bandwidth. Leaders may find themselves becoming unusually irritable, impatient or less tolerant of everyday challenges.
5. Persistent fatigue
Burnout does not only affect mental well-being. Ongoing exhaustion, disrupted sleep or feeling drained even after time away from work can all be warning signs that stress levels are too high.
READ MORE: Red Flags To Look Out For When Hunting For A New Job
How To Manage Executive Stress: Resources & Support For Leaders
Burnout among executives is often hidden, but support is available and increasingly necessary.
Executive coaching
Confidential leadership coaching can provide a space for executives to reflect on challenges, develop emotional resilience and establish healthier boundaries around work.
Peer leadership networks
Structured peer groups or advisory circles give leaders the opportunity to share challenges with others facing similar pressures.
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
Many organisations offer confidential mental health support through EAPs, although utilisation rates globally often remain low despite high need.
Professional mental health support
Psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors can provide structured support for stress, anxiety or burnout, helping leaders develop practical coping strategies.
READ MORE: 4 Expert-Backed Tips For Stress Relief, Energy And Balance
The Trickle-Down Effect: Why Healthy Leaders Create Healthy Teams
Leadership well-being plays a powerful role in shaping workplace culture. When leaders prioritise their own mental health, it signals to the rest of the organisation that well-being matters. Supporting mental health needs to happen at every rung of the organisational ladder.
For executives, this might mean confidential coaching that focuses on emotional intelligence, structured peer networks where leaders can share challenges or simply creating space to step back and reflect without judgement. For employees, it involves access to anonymous support tools, regular mental health check-ins and a culture where vulnerability is met with understanding rather than criticism.
Mental health is a business-critical issue. Without it, a wide variety of performance metrics suffer. Supporting well-being should not stop with employees on the front lines. Leaders steering organisations also need support. Because when leaders are supported, healthier workplaces follow.
If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety and depression, you can contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group on 011 234 4837 or the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567.
