The Impact of COVID - 19

This pandemic affects us all. Not only physically, but also emotionally, socially, and financially. If there was ever a time to consider professional counselling and support, it is now.

COVID-19’s impact on South African businesses and employees

All businesses in South Africa are to adhere to containment measures set in place from 26 March 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but how do these containment measures affect the sustainability of companies and their employees?

The global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in unprecedented disruption to our daily lives, on both personal and professional fronts.

In the long run, reduced turnover could lead to staff retrenchments, and businesses might have to dig deep into their reserves or go into debt to keep going. Where a business closes its doors for several weeks, there are still ongoing costs such as rent and salaries that require settling, even though there is no income. Some businesses are bound to bounce back more easily than others. But not all businesses can absorb these costs easily, for some smaller businesses, a couple of months with no income could mean the end of the road.

Many businesses have insurance for events such as fire, theft, and legal claims, but do not have the added cover against the fallout from a global pandemic.

Impact of school closures on education outcomes in South Africa

Parental and family support is important during this period. Parents and family must consciously and deliberately support children in completing a few hours of schoolwork.

It’s also important to start preparing for the recovery period when schools reopen. The curriculum must be simplified, targeting areas where learning loss will be most consequential for the following years. The sad and uncomfortable truth is that for South Africa, with low and unequal achievement scores, the longer social distancing is in place the bigger the learning losses for learners, especially the most disadvantaged, thereby deepening inequalities.

Impact on Interpersonal relationships

Any form of violence is against the law, including Gender-based and Domestic Violence

Women have been the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak has exacerbated gaping inequalities for women around the globe and in every sphere, from health and the economy to security and social protection.

Gender-based violence refers to violence that targets individuals or groups based on their gender. This includes acts that inflict physical, mental, or sexual harm or suffering, the threat of such acts and other deprivations of liberty.

Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, dating abuse, and intimate partner violence (IPV)), is a pattern of behaviour which involves the abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, cohabitation, dating or within the family. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical aggression or assault or threats thereof; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; controlling or domineering behaviour; intimidation; stalking; passive/covert abuse (e.g., neglect); and economic deprivation.

While COVID-19 is a recent pandemic, interpersonal violence (IPV) is not. Having existed from the beginning of time, relational violence is far more prevalent than meets the eye, and often more deadly. After months of sheltering in place, whether due to formal orders or for personal protection, patterns have emerged indicating a link between COVID-19 and IPV.

Impact on Vulnerable groups

Older People

Older people are particularly susceptible to the risk of infection from COVID-19, especially those with chronic health conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Older people are not just struggling with greater health risks but are also likely to be less capable of supporting themselves in isolation. Although social distancing is necessary to reduce the spread of the disease, if not implemented correctly, such measures can also lead to increased social isolation of older people at a time when they may be at most need of support.

The discourse around COVID-19, in which it is perceived as a disease of older people, exacerbates negative stereotypes about older people who may be viewed as weak, unimportant and a burden on society. Such age-based discrimination may manifest in the provision of services because the treatment of older people may be perceived to have less value than the treatment of younger generations.

People with Disabilities

Even at the best of times, people with disabilities face challenges in accessing health-care services, due to lack of availability, accessibility, affordability, as well as stigma and discrimination. The risks of infection from COVID-19 for people with disabilities are compounded by other issues, which warrant specific action: disruption of services and support, pre-existing health conditions in some cases which leave them more at risk of developing serious illness or dying, being excluded from health information and mainstream health provision, living in a world where accessibility is often limited and where barriers to goods and services are a challenge, and being disproportionately more likely to live in institutional settings.

Youth

Many governments have called on youth to embrace the effort to protect themselves and the overall population. Youth are also able to help those who are most vulnerable, and to aid in increasing public health social awareness campaigns among their communities. Thus, youth are critical to limiting the virus’s spread and its impact on public health, society, and the economy at large.

In terms of employment, youth are disproportionately unemployed, and those who are employed often work in the informal economy or gig economy, on precarious contracts or in the service sectors of the economy, that are likely to be severely affected by COVID-19.

How can counselling support you?

During these challenging times, people may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed. We are affected in different ways, at different times which can make looking after our own wellbeing difficult.

Opening up and talking to someone about your thoughts, worries and feelings can give yourself the time and space to reflect and adjust. There are many different types of counselling and talking therapies, which enable you to make sense of what you are experiencing and develop effective ways of managing.

Counselling sessions are confidential, so you can talk about things you might not feel comfortable discussing with anyone else.

Self-care

With the loss of a normal routine, some people are experiencing difficulties with maintaining a healthy diet, sleep, and exercise. Counselling can give you the opportunity to monitor your lifestyle, identify specific obstacles and find ways to overcome these to move towards a healthy lifestyle.

Social interaction

If you are struggling with social isolation your counsellor may encourage you to keep in contact with other people virtually as frequently as possible. The actual counselling session is also social interaction between counsellor and client.

If you are thinking about counselling

We understand that seeking support for your mental health is a big step. Counselling can be a journey of self-discovery and it can be a life-changing experience, but it can also be hard work, emotional and challenging. By investing the time, you will be able to manage uncertainty in a more positive, balanced way.