MHM Magazine

26 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | Issue 2 | 2021 MHM A s we end the fourth month of 2021 and approach the potential beginning of the third peak of COVID-19, thoughts of another tough year are on the minds of most South Africans. The reality of facing more loss of loved ones, freedom and finance, working and schooling remotely, parenting through a pandemic or isolating from at risk friends and family as well as worries around the vaccine may be sinking in. While in some ways patients may present with similar or heightened worries, this year may also bring new anxieties and fears around finance and health (like about the vaccine). This could lead to practitioners coming into contact and having to manage more and more mental health consequences from the pandemic. While not everyone’s circumstances and challenges may be the same, it’s important to encourage patients to play an active role in their mental health and how they choose to meet the changing waves during this pandemic and year ahead. Healthcare practitioners, particularly GP’s, can play a pivotal role in linking people to information, referrals and general support. Therefore, it’s important to understand the expected reactions of people during this time and how to support and empower them through their challenges. On a greater societal level, the pandemic and secondary knock-off effects such as on the economy, social challenges and relational or domestic challenges, will all impact an individual’s mental health. In one’s everyday life, citizens typical living and working routines have been severely disrupted resulting in: • Lack of predictability • Immobility: feeling stuck in one’s own body • Loss of connection • Numbing or spacing out • Loss of safety, and • Loss of sense of purpose These primary and secondary By Cassandra Govender Clinical Psychologist Cassy.g@hotmail.com ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS DURING THE PANDEMIC