"Front and centre"
While doctors and nurses tend to people presenting with COVID-19; psychologists, social workers and registered counsellors are tending to people with stress, anxiety and depression brought on by both the disease and the economic fallout.
“The isolation, the fear, the uncertainty, the economic turmoil - they all cause or could cause psychological distress,” said Devora Kestel, of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Presenting a U.N. report and policy guidance on COVID-19 and mental health, Kestel said an upsurge in the number and severity of mental illnesses is likely, and governments should put the issue “front and centre” of their responses.
“The mental health and wellbeing of whole societies have been severely impacted by this crisis and are a priority to be addressed urgently.”
The report highlighted several regions and sections of societies as vulnerable to mental distress - including children and young people isolated from friends and school, healthcare workers who are seeing thousands of patients infected with and dying from the new coronavirus.
Emerging studies and surveys are already showing COVID-19’s impact on mental health globally. Psychologists say children are anxious and increases in cases of depression and anxiety have been recorded in several countries.
Source: Reuters
During lockdown, our rooms are empty, but Community Keepers continues to assist learners and support educators and parents through technology including tele-therapy. We are also assisting educators as they prepare to head back to the classroom and for the challenges they may face.