Dr Tshidi Gule, widely known as Dr G, is a medical practitioner and wellness strategist who encourages leaders to think outside the box when it comes to tackling employee wellness and mental health challenges.

With over 15 years of experience in the corporate wellness space, Dr G’s exemplary work during the COVID-19 pandemic was formally recognised by the Advisory Council of Occupational Health and Safety in South Africa.

She has a podcast titled The Wellness Plug, aimed at inspiring young corporate professionals on their wellness journeys.

“The Wellness Plug podcast will create a safe audio experience for those wishing to engage more intimately with their health,” she explains. “And it will do so in a creative, entertaining, and inspiring way.”

Dr G has long advocated for healthcare professionals to take bold steps in health education by entering new and unfamiliar spaces to raise awareness.

“I’ve always championed the idea of doctors being bolder with health education and going beyond traditional platforms to keep the health awareness train moving,” she says.

How can we best understand the concept of mental health?

“The best way I describe mental health to my clients is: it’s the daily way one appreciates and protects their sanity and peace of mind,” Dr G says.

“Because mental health involves your emotional, social, and psychological well-being, it’s crucial to break it down into its components. It doesn’t mean living a stress-free life — that’s a myth.

We often focus only on mental illness when discussing mental health, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a lifelong journey of understanding yourself from the inside out and learning how to care for all the areas of your life that affect your well-being every day.”

Is it advisable to use terms like “I’m stressed,” “going through the most,” “ndiyagoisha,” or “uyagowa” to describe how we’re feeling?

“That’s a tricky question. On one hand, I’m glad we’re finding ways to express our negative experiences,” she says.

“However, as a doctor, I prefer people to call things by their name — for example, ‘I’m feeling lost, sad, confused, emotional, lonely, or depressed.’

Using the right language helps break stigma faster and normalises the idea that not having a good day is simply part of being human. It opens the door to support instead of judgment.”

Dr G likens health education to learning a new language. “We often underestimate the impact of our experiences. But whether we name them or not, they affect how we think, act, and feel. Pain can’t be buried forever.

Using vague or colloquial expressions to describe emotional distress can make us dismiss the seriousness of what we’re going through — and delay the help we need.”

The link between self-care and mental health

“Mental health is about understanding and protecting your emotional and mental state.
Self-care is the daily practice that helps you maintain that balance,” she explains.

“That could mean going to therapy, exercising regularly, practicing mindfulness, getting massages, or even just taking breaks and going for check-ups.”

Why is self-care so important?

“Through self-care, we learn how we engage with our world — both online and offline,” says Dr G. “It helps us recognise and manage uncomfortable emotions rather than avoiding them. It reveals our patterns, improves self-awareness, and empowers us to make positive changes.”

“Self-care reminds us that our quality of life matters just as much as the pressures we face. To be well is not merely to exist — it’s to embrace life, challenges and all, with resilience and purpose.”