The Covid-19 pandemic, and the state-implemented five-week lockdown that ensued, have a significant impact on the state of our psychological well-being, according to prof Jason Bantjes from Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Department of Psychology.
Audio clip: Marna Lourens, project manager of Law Trust Chair in Social Justice at Stellenbosch University, explains the aim of the digital platform during the pandemic.
Bantjes was one of 76 attendees to a digital think-tank, launched by prof Thuli Madonsela, former public protector and SU Law Trust chairperson, that analysed the impact of Covid-19, on 2 April.
Former public protector, prof Thuli Madonsela, who currently holds the Law Trust Chair at SU, welcoming facilitators, keynote and guest speakers to the digital conference on 2 April. Professionals that attended ranged from professors, lawyers, statisticians, and psychologists.
PHOTO: Garrick Block (social justice ambassador)
Between 20% and 30% of the South African population have a history of mental health problems, according to Bantjes.
“These problems will only be exacerbated under the present circumstances,” said Bantjes. Students would return to campus’ changed by Covid-19, he said at the digital roundtable.
Common mental health disorders in SA include anxiety, depression, substance use and trauma-related disorders, he said.
Screenshot of virtual conference on 2 April. To the left is Marthe Muller, CEO of South African Women in Dialogue. On the top right is Fanele Ndebele, LLB student and social justice ambassador. On the bottom right is prof Jason Bantjes.
PHOTO: Garrick Block (social justice ambassador)
The conversation also emphasised the interconnectedness of Covid-19’s repercussions on SA. This included its disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups.
In consideration of the pre-existing socio-economic inequalities in SA, “the concept [of] social distancing assumes access to personal space, housing, running water and toilets,” said prof Sandra Friedman, from Oxford University’s Faculty of Law.
Concern for South Africa’s socio-economic inequalities was the reason participants gathered to the digital think-tank, according to Iman Rapetti, a South African veteran journalist who also participated in the discussion.
Participants gathered to think, discuss and evaluate the best way South Africa can rise to the current situation, she said.
The digital round table is set to reconvene at 9:00, on 23 April to brainstorm practical solutions to propose to the government.