Take a break! That’s the message to the class of 2021 from an educational psychologist ahead of the final matric examinations later this month.
Psychologist Nicola Buhr says the vast majority of students face crippling stress and anxiety levels during this time because they have not created a study schedule.
Parents are also advised to spend time with their children during breaks to monitor their stress and prevent burnout.
Buhr says aside from proper planning, a healthy diet, daily exercise, and adequate sleep are essential at this time.
“With COVID-19, on top of that where I’ve seen difficulty with matrics it’s just been quite inconsistent for them, so it has just been online and then offline and having to make adjustments and be more flexible which are good skills in itself to learn. But it is difficult and we should recognise that there have been under a lot more pressure. If you want to cope for another 6-7 weeks. You cant study consistency for seven weeks without a break. If you want your mental health to cope, if you want your anxiety levels to stay lower, you need sleep, you need good nutrition, you need breaks.”
Mental healthcare access in South Africa very limited: WHO
With October being Mental Health Awareness Month, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), has initiated a number of programmes to stimulate discussions and increase access to mental health.
SADAG Operations Director Cassey Chambers says the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, as the effects of lockdown have impacted negatively on the physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing of people.
“SADAG is raising awareness tied in with the international theme for World Mental Health Day that’s looking at mental health in an unequal world which couldn’t be more true for SA. With one in three South Africans who will have a mental health issue at some point, yet only one in 10 have access to treatment. This has to change. For October, SADAG is hosting various online chats, through our Facebook Friday where we tackle important topics. This is free important expert advice. We have exciting events happening throughout the month of October.”
SADAG urges South Africans to take care of their mental health
SADAG has also highlighted the importance of taking care of one’s mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chambers says the effects of the pandemic have caused increased anxiety in the public. She says in 2020, their call center received over 90 000 calls on the suicide helpline.
SADAG says before the pandemic they received 600 calls a day and after the outbreak, those numbers doubled.
Chambers says anxiety, fear over job losses, finances, and relationships have been some of the problems many South Africans are facing during this time.
Mental health is the second pandemic after COVID-19:
