Impact of Load Shedding on Mental Well-being

When the Lights Go Out, the Mind Reacts

Load shedding has become an unavoidable part of daily life for millions of South Africans. While the physical inconvenience is obvious—missed work deadlines, cold dinners, interrupted learning—the emotional and psychological impact is often overlooked. This article explores the mental health consequences of load shedding, particularly for vulnerable communities, and provides evidence-based coping strategies to help South Africans manage emotional strain during blackouts.

What is Load Shedding and Why Does It Matter for Mental Health?

Load shedding is the intentional and systematic interruption of electricity supply to manage limited power resources. In South Africa, Eskom implements load shedding to prevent a national blackout due to demand exceeding generation capacity.

While this may be an operational necessity, frequent power outages disrupt routines, create uncertainty, and induce emotional distress—factors that directly impact mental health. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), periods of prolonged power loss correlate with spikes in anxiety and stress-related calls.

How Load Shedding Affects Mental Well-being

1. Increased Anxiety and Stress

Load shedding generates unpredictability. The loss of control over one’s schedule or environment can significantly increase anticipatory anxiety. Parents worry about keeping children safe, business owners fear operational losses, and students struggle to meet deadlines.

“It’s the not knowing that gets to me,” says Thabo, a small business owner in Johannesburg. “I’m constantly on edge waiting for the next cut.”

• Disruption of Sleep Cycles

Night-time outages affect lighting and cooling/heating systems, which disturbs circadian rhythms and leads to sleep deprivation. Sleep loss is a proven risk factor for depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment.

A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research highlights that environmental stressors like noise, temperature shifts, and darkness affect sleep quality even in the short term.

• Exacerbation of Pre-existing Mental Health Conditions

People with conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD may find their symptoms worsen during load shedding due to isolation, sensory overstimulation, or loss of routine.

Access to therapy or medication may be disrupted if communications or refrigeration are compromised, placing these individuals at greater risk.

• Reduced Productivity and Hopelessness

For those working from home or studying, power cuts often result in lost productivity, increasing feelings of frustration, helplessness, and burnout. Over time, this can lead to a sense of learned helplessness—a known contributor to depression.

• Isolation and Digital Disconnection

Electricity powers communication. When Wi-Fi routers and mobile towers are down, people become digitally disconnected, resulting in social isolation and loneliness, particularly for the elderly or those living alone.

Who Is Most at Risk?

• Youth and students: Facing academic pressure without reliable access to digital tools.
• Elderly individuals: Often dependent on electrically powered medical equipment and isolated from digital lifelines.
• People in low-income communities: Often without backup solutions like generators or inverters.
• Remote workers and entrepreneurs: Heavily reliant on uninterrupted internet and power for income.

The Emotional Toll on Children and Teens

Children are particularly sensitive to environmental changes. Frequent blackouts interrupt learning and play, and can induce feelings of insecurity and fear. Adolescents, reliant on devices for connection and self-expression, may experience heightened irritability and mood instability.

In households already under economic stress, these interruptions exacerbate family tension, sometimes escalating into domestic conflict or violence.

Coping Strategies for Mental Resilience

1. Routine Rebuilding

Try to establish a load shedding-resilient schedule. Use load-shedding apps to anticipate cuts and plan meals, work, and rest accordingly.

• Invest in Basic Backup Systems

Affordable items like rechargeable LED lights, power banks, or solar-powered chargers can restore a sense of control and reduce anxiety.

• Practice Stress-Relief Techniques

Incorporate breathing exercises, journaling, or mindfulness practices during load shedding slots to reduce stress. Free mobile apps like Insight Timer or Calm offer guided meditations that can be downloaded and used offline.

• Stay Connected with Others

Use downtime to connect with family members or neighbours. Playing board games, reading together, or storytelling can foster bonding and reduce feelings of isolation.

• Protect Sleep Hygiene

Invest in battery-powered fans, white-noise machines, or blackout curtains to improve sleep quality during night-time outages.

• Seek Professional Help

If anxiety, sadness, or hopelessness becomes overwhelming, it’s essential to seek support. Organisations such as SADAG (0800 567 567) offer 24-hour helplines and online resources.

The Role of Employers and Institutions

Employers should:

• Offer flexible hours or asynchronous work policies.
• Provide mental health support, including access to Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs).
• Equip staff with basic UPS or solar chargers for work-related equipment.

Educational institutions can:

• Provide offline learning kits.
• Offer extended deadlines or alternate assessments during high-impact outages.

What Can Government and Civil Society Do?

• Better communication: Accurate, timely information about schedules reduces anxiety.
• Mental health campaigns: Public awareness around the emotional impact of load shedding can reduce stigma and encourage support-seeking.
• Support for community resilience: Funding for solar panels in clinics, schools, and community centres could provide safe, stable environments.

Conclusion: Turning Powerless Moments into Empowered Choices

Load shedding is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a mental health challenge. While we may not control the power grid, we can take proactive steps to protect our mental well-being. Through small daily practices, community engagement, and open conversations about mental health, South Africans can weather these power outages with resilience and strength.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the emotional effects of load shedding, don’t wait in the dark. Contact us today—we’re here to support you in staying grounded and mentally well, no matter what the grid throws your way.