New Submission Deadline: 30 April 2019

The South African Journal of Industrial Psychology (SAJIP) invites original scientific articles, reports, position papers and reviews that will bring new knowledge on insights into and conversation around mental health research in African organisations that advance theory and practice.

Within a South African context, mental health research appears to be fragmented, yet there is an acknowledgement of its importance and the role of a sustained empirical focus on this issue. Notably, there is an absence of empirical attention on understanding mental health within the confines of the African organisation.

The proposed special issue on Mental Health Research in African Organisations: Advancing Theory & Practice to be published in the South African Journal of Industrial Psychology envisages three main benefits. Firstly, to bridge the chasm that exists between theory and practice concerning mental health research in African organisations. Secondly, the special issue seeks to propose ways in which individual and organisational capabilities can be harnessed to address mental health issues affecting African organisations. Finally, to ignite and create a platform for a sustained dialogue around mental health research from the lens of the African organisation.

New Submission Deadline:

Timelines:

• Special issue release date: 15 December 2018
• Deadline for submission: 30 April 2019. Submit on the journal website.
• Review of results: 31 May 2019
• Deadline for revisions: 24 June 2019
• Notification of final decision: 31 July 2019
• Publication date: 10 October 2019 (World Mental Health Day)

Guest Editor:
Prof. Willie Tafadzwa Chinyamurindi
Associate Professor
University of Fort Hare
wchinyamurindi@ufh.ac.za
043 704 7621

Background:
The above reflects a need for research and the sharing of best practices amongst academics and practitioners concerning mental health issues in the African work environment. We, therefore, encourage submissions of empirical papers that address (but are not limited to) the following topics:

• Focus on innovative evidence-based/evidence-informed interventions around mental health with a focus on unique population groups.
• The role of demographic variables on issues of mental health within the confines of the organisation.
• The integration of work psychology and mental health.
• The role of Industrial Psychology as a discipline in addressing challenges around mental health (to include mental health policy).
• The role of Industrial Psychologists as part of their practice in addressing challenges around mental health (to include mental health policy).
• Borrowing from Pillay and Kriel (2006), how do we come up with interventions in the form of mental health services and training programmes that are cognisant of issues like gender, race, socio-economic class and culture.
• Organisational case examples as illustrations of best practices for addressing mental health issues in the workplace.
• Psychological approaches to mental health treatment bearing in mind the individual and the organisation.
• Identifying and assessing the impact of mental health services and training programmes being adopted within organisations.

Manuscript Information:
Manuscript contributions may consist of the following:

• Original, full-length research-based articles (5000-7000 words): innovative empirical research that covers aspects of how mental health issues manifest within the workplace including cases that showcase individual and organisational responses.

Preparation of manuscripts:

• Manuscript submissions should be in English and adhere to the SAJIP guidelines.
• Studies adopting qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods are welcomed.
• Original articles must fully comply with the SAJIP guidelines for manuscripts (abstract and headings style formats; 5000–7000 words, maximum of 60 references with limited self-referencing; abstract, maximum 300 words).
• Shorter format articles should be well-structured (2500–4000 words; maximum 40 references with limited self-referencing; abstract 100–150 words). Although the standard SAJIP headings and subheadings requirements may not be appropriate for the shorter format articles, the manuscript should have clear headings and subheadings to give it order. Shorter format articles should be as concise as possible, yet sufficiently detailed to permit adequate communication and critical review.
• Book reviews related to the theme of the special issues are also welcomed.
• Manuscripts should include a reference list that complies with SAJIP’s referencing guidelines.
• Submit on the journal website at sajip.co.za.

References:
1. Pillay, A.L. & Kriel, A.J. (2006). Mental health problems in women attending district-level services in South Africa. Social Science & Medicine, 63, 587-592.