Covid-19 brings a spike in mental health concerns

A RECENT survey showed a 56% increase in psychological and emotional stress suffered by South Africans as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Conducted by leading pharmaceutical company, Pharma Dynamics, the startling results coincided with Mental Health Awareness Month, highlighting a growing need for intervention.

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Some 1 200 adults were polled, with various psychosocial effects considered.

Of those interviewed, 6% of people had caught the virus, 27% had a family member diagnosed with Covid-19, and 50% knew of someone who had died from the virus.

Survey results
– More than half (53%) of respondents lost their job, had to take a pay-cut, or were forced to close a business;
– 56% have higher levels of psychological and emotional distress than before the pandemic;
– 68% were worried about the impact of the pandemic on society and the economy;
– 65% admitted to neglecting their health;
– 52% had trouble sleeping;
– 49% felt anxious
– 31% felt depressed with 6% contemplating suicide; and
– 20% of couples were quarreling more than before, with physical spousal abuse increasing by 5%.

The survey also revealed that a number of people who had previously coped with stress are now less able to manage due to multiple stressors, while those with pre-existing mental health conditions have experienced a worsening of symptoms.

How people are dealing with stress
– 81% turned to unhealthy food;
– 22% turned to antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication;
– 20% turned to alcohol;
– 18% turned to cigarettes; and
– 6% turned to smoking cannabis.

Symptoms of depression and anxiety among respondents
– 38% felt tired with low energy levels;
– 35% were easily annoyed;
– 33% had trouble concentrating;
– 28% felt restless;
– 22% felt a sense of loss;
– 19% were lonely; and
– 14% felt hopeless.

Recommendations
Apart from the personal implications, there are many other long-term implications of stress, including disruptions to the economy.

However, almost half the respondents (49%) who wanted to reach out for help could not because of limited finances.

Despite this, 33% sought comfort from family and friends, while making exercise a daily priority for improved mental health.

The report states that decades of neglect and underinvestment in the South African mental health services has placed citizens in an increasingly vulnerable condition.

Calls are being made to prioritise funding, shifting care from institutions to community services to improve access for those in remote-lying areas.

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