“Often overlooked are the impacts of fears and concerns these events have on a wider population. In fact, political anxiety is on the rise due to factors like polarization, uncertainty, and media bias, with more people finding it hard not to feel impacted by world events,” adds Odhiambo. “The convergence of political instability and economic volatility can have a negative impact on the mental health of individuals and communities.”

According to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace 2023 Report, some of the countries with the most stressed workers in Africa include  Chad, Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana. More broadly, anxiety is also one of the most common mental health conditions in the working population and its origins are most often associated with chronic stress.

Dr Chris van Straten, Global Health Advisor Clinical Governance at International SOS, adds: “Organisations with employees across various locations need to understand the nuanced nature of stress and anxiety on their workforce – whether from internal stressors or external events. And one of the risks to mental wellbeing is political anxiety.”

Public mobilisation and protests signify a new era of political activism and change throughout the continent. Having come off the back of an election in South Africa, some political parties have planned to stage protests to highlight their opposition to the nation’s newly formed coalition government, with the new Government of National Unity causing uncertainty and anxiety. Kenya has been mired in unrest, with demonstrators denouncing tax policies, corruption and demanding a change in government. Looting has also occasionally erupted in several towns and cities. In Nigeria, the climate is similarly tense, with protests growing louder against the rising cost of living, governance issues and corruption.

It is estimated that between 2020 and 2023, there have been 15 military coup attempts in Africa, with 9 resulting in military takeovers.

What is Political Anxiety?

Political anxiety is directly caused by political events affecting an individual's mental wellbeing. These events range from elections and policy changes to international conflicts and domestic crises. Such events can trigger uncertainty, fear, and emotional distress among employees. The effects on individuals vary but can impact overall health, performance, and mental wellbeing.

According to Dr van Straten, to effectively address political anxiety for your employees, it is essential to identify the primary sources that contribute to this issue. These could include:

• Infodemic and the media: The quantity of information across the media (including digital platforms) exposes employees to a never ending torrent of political information and noise. While staying informed is essential, excessive exposure to polarising content can lead to heightened anxiety levels. Political anxiety can culminate in chronic stress, which in turn will negatively impact mental and physical health. This chronic stress can manifest in a variety of ways including anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Mental and physical health concerns will impact an employee's productivity.
• Economic concerns: Economic policies and global events can directly impact job security and financial stability. Uncertainty surrounding these issues can further contribute to employee anxiety and its sequela.
• Policy changes: Rapid government policies and regulations shifts can have significant implications for businesses and employees. These changes can trigger fear and uncertainty about employment security and career prospects.
• International crises: Events such as international conflicts and acts of terrorism can create a deep sense of vulnerability among employees, especially those with direct ties to or from regions affected by a crisis.

The Impact on the Workplace

Political anxiety can manifest in various ways within the workplace, affecting both individual employees and the organisation through:

• Reduced productivity: Employees experiencing heightened anxiety may struggle to concentrate on tasks, decreasing productivity and work quality.
• Increased absenteeism: Some employees may fear travelling to and from the workplace and avoid business travel, leading to absenteeism.
• Mental health issues: Prolonged political anxiety can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders, necessitating medical attention and time off work.

“To proactively support the mental health and wellbeing of employees, organisations need to develop and embed strategies into workplace culture and policies,” says Dr van Straten. “To effectively manage geo-political stress within an organisation, it is important to start by assessing psycho-social hazards in the workplace and external exposures and then look at how you can offer comprehensive support services, such as employee assistance programs, tailored to those specific workforce challenges.”

“It is also critical to provide reliable, validated information to counteract misinformation and keep employees meaningfully informed during any political and security-related events. Additional support measures could be to provide workshops and training sessions to help employees understand the impact of political anxiety and how to cope with it effectively. Training can also address the importance of respectful political discussions in the workplace. Lastly, maintain transparent communication channels to keep employees updated on organisational changes related to political events, hence reducing uncertainty.”

As the volatility of the socio-political environment continues to change, organisations would be well advised to consider the residual mental health impact on their people.

“Leaders need to identify and address the effects of political anxiety in their workforce, proactively offering information and support to safeguard their employees' mental health and wellbeing. As political anxiety grows, supporting the mental health resilience of employees will be crucial for the success and sustainability of any organisation,” concludes Dr van Straten.