South African Psychiatry - November 2020

SURVEY
SOUTH AFRICANS’ STRESS LEVELS HAVE
SHOT UP BY 56%
SINCE START OF PANDEMIC
ACCORDING TO SURVEY
A
national survey conducted by a leading
pharmaceutical firm and advocate for
mental wellness has revealed a significant
increase in psychological and emotional
stress among South Africans as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The results were made public in October, which
is recognised as Mental Health Awareness Month
to address the mental health dimension of the
pandemic.
More than 1 200 South African adults were polled
across the country by Pharma Dynamics to gain an
insight into how South Africans have been impacted
by the pandemic.
ABDURAHMAN KENNY, MENTAL HEALTH
PORTFOLIO MANAGER AT PHARMA
DYNAMICS SAYS MANY PEOPLE
WHO PREVIOUSLY COPED WELL ARE
NOW LESS ABLE TO MANAGE DUE TO
MULTIPLE STRESSORS GENERATED BY
THE PANDEMIC, WHILE THOSE WITH PRE-
EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED A WORSENING
OF SYMPTOMS.
He says the survey assessed a broad range of
psychosocial effects related to the pandemic,
which affected a large majority of the population in
the following ways:
- more than half (53%) of respondents either lost
their jobs, 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,
- 81% turned to unhealthy food, 20% to alcohol,
18% to cigarettes, 6% to smoking cannabis and
22% to antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication
to help them cope with the stressors of the last
few months,
- 65% admitted to neglecting their health,
- 52% has trouble sleeping,
- 20% of couples are quarreling more than before,
physical spousal abuse has also increased by
5%,
- 68% are worried about the impact of the
pandemic on society and the economy,
- 44% struggle to relax and,
- 49% feel anxious, 48% frustrated, 31% depressed
and a significant 6%, have contemplated
suicide.
TO DEAL WITH THE STRESS OF THE
PANDEMIC, MANY HAVE RESORTED TO
JUNK FOOD, ALCOHOL, SMOKING AND
OTHER ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES, WHICH
DOESN’T BODE WELL FOR PHYSICAL OR
EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.
Kenny says as the effects of the pandemic take hold
on daily life in the coming months, mental health
professionals need to be prepared for an increase
in substance abuse.
He says the majority of respondents have also had
personal experiences with COVID-19 that have
SOUTH AFRICAN PSYCHIATRY ISSUE 25 2020 * 13