DURBAN - THE Professional Board of Psychology, a member of the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA), says it is concerned about the growing mental health challenges of the public and, in particular, the demands and risks placed on its practitioners as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It said, in addition to the ongoing global challenge of Covid-19, which has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, mental health has become an issue to watch.
HPCSA head of corporate affairs Christopher Tsatsawane said mental health had become an issue, as the pandemic had crippled the health care system and world economies. It resulted in an economic recession, which would negatively impact many people’s mental health status, creating new barriers for people already suffering from some mental illness, he said.
“Fear, anxiety, and stress are normal responses to perceived or real threats, and at times when people face uncertainty or the unknown. Added to the fear of contracting the virus are the significant changes to our daily lives, including the restriction of movement to curb the spread of the virus. Faced with the new realities of working from home, temporary or permanent unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with family members, friends and colleagues, it is normal and understandable that people are experiencing fear in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many are also dealing with grief at the loss of loved ones.
“As the pandemic continues, ‘Covid-19 burnout’ is also emerging.”
“Several people have been experiencing work and employment-related stress, due to the disruptions in economic activity caused by the pandemic, and struggle to find a healthy coping mechanism,” said Tsatsawane.
According to the body, the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, surveyed 130 countries, across six regions on the provision of mental, neurological, and substance use services. It found that more than 60% of the countries surveyed reported disruptions to mental health services for vulnerable people, including children and adolescents (72%), older adults (70%), and women requiring antenatal or postnatal services (61%). Adding to that, 67% saw disruptions to counselling and psychotherapy; and 65% to critical harm reduction services.
President of the HPCSA, Professor Simon Nemutandani, condemned the recent unrest, especially the vandalism of health practitioner practices which led to health facilities being forced to shut down.
The HPCSA encouraged anyone experiencing mental health challenges to contact a health care professional or to make use of the following contact details:
SA Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) Hotline at 0800 029 999
The SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) at 011 234 4837.
THE MERCURY