#Covid19Lockdown: Durban psychologists step up offer of free mental health services
Durban psychologists have responded to calls to help those who are struggling with mental health issues during this time of difficulty.
HAS the Covid-19 outbreak left you feeling anxious? Scared? Aggravated your existing mental health problems or even created one where previously you felt you had none?
You are not alone.
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A group of Durban psychologists are stepping up to support people during the 21 days of lockdown as the country battles to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Counselling psychologist, Kerry Frizelle, noted that it was a matter of “social justice” that psychologists step up and provide their services pro bono (free).
“This is not business as usual,” she said.
“Most mental health professionals responded to a request from the Durban Practicing Psychologists Group (DPPG) to offer free, brief, online support services for people battling anxiety, loneliness, or depression during quarantine or lock-down,” said Suntosh Pillay, a clinical psychologist at King Dinuzulu Hospital, and the spokesperson for DPPG.
What is DPPG?
DPPG is an affiliate of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA), a voluntary national association of psychology professionals who aim to make psychology relevant to the country’s psychosocial needs.
Effect on mental health
Pillay said that Covid-19 has major effects on mental health.
“Our well-being as humans relies on interpersonal connections. Quarantine and lockdown disrupts these connections and may induce anger, sadness, grief, and other difficult feelings,” he said.
Pillay added that physical distancing should not also amount to emotional distancing.
“We should call friends, family, neighbours and colleagues and have conversations to check in on people. Don’t just forward messages of doom and gloom in WhatsApp groups – find out how everyone is.”
Support
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) KZN office is also trying to set up free online support groups, while their community-based groups meetings are temporarily suspended.
Meanwhile, there is also a need for support for those who are on the front-line of the fight against Covid-19, which Frizelle emphasised in the statement sent out by DPPG.
“We have to address people’s psychological response to this pandemic and help process the trauma they are accumulating while taking on more and more in a time of crisis. People’s adrenaline is high, their cortisol levels are high and they go, go go, until they suddenly drop. We have to be there to pick them up and dust them off,” said Frizelle.
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“These are extraordinary times and all psychology must be at the forefront of the response to Covid-19. Our minds, bodies, and environment all interact with each other to create a state of optimal health. There is no health without mental health,” said Pillay.
For support groups, contact kznsadag@anxiety.org.za or call 0800 456 789, and for a psychologist email exec@dppg.org.za.
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