Effects of COVID-19 on the economy and mental health of young people in South Africa: opportunities for strengthening social protection programmes by integrating mental health

Abstract

The majority of COVID-19 cases in sub-Saharan Africa are found in South Africa, where one third of young people are not in employment, education or training. As the world continues to fight the COVID-19 virus spread, an increasing volume of studies are analysing and trying to predict the consequences of the pandemic on the economy and on physical and mental health. This article describes the economic and psychological impact of COVID-19 in South Africa’s youth specifically, the efforts made to tackle these issues, and the opportunities to integrate mental health into the country’s social protection measures, such as the Child Support Grant.

Intersections between COVID-19 and socio-economic mental health stressors in the lives of South African adolescent girls and young women

“…A recent study amongst workers in South Africa also found that social distancing had led to loneliness amongst adults [ 39 ]. Additionally, evidence suggests a link between experienced loneliness, “containment-related stress” related to stay-at-home lockdown restrictions, and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and suicide ideation [ 2 , 40 ]. Death of parents or caregivers also adds additional stressors to adolescents’ mental health, and can lead to increased risk behaviours [ 41 ].…”

“…Similarly to AGYW in our study, anxiety and uncertainty about the future, leading to a sense of hopelessness and despondence was also found amongst South African university students [ 46 ]. Feelings of defeat and hopelessness about educational and career prospects, accompanied by negative perceptions of self-potential, apathy and avoidance of opportunities, are not only distressing due to economic anxiety, but could link to psychological distress related to loss of purpose and agency, and are likely to make it more difficult for young people to escape circumstances of poverty and adversity [ 2 , 4 ]. To mitigate these impacts, efforts need to be made to create an enabling environment to foster hope amongst adolescents and young people in South Africa [ 30 ].…”

“…Resilience can be fostered through multiple pathways; social capital, psychosocial support and self-help interventions and “strength-based prevention programmes”, may also help to enhance AGYW’s resilience and coping skills [ 14 , 24 ]. Important considerations for the integration of mental health into social protection interventions include targeting the most vulnerable AGYW, and the provision of soft skills modules and mental health interventions that could help to boost resilience [ 2 ].…”

“…Other recommendations include the provision of accessible and data free Mobile health applications, digital technologies, virtual support solutions and online platforms to deliver brief evidence-based psychological interventions for young people with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and provide psycho-social support through online/digital and telephonic counselling services, and through community safe spaces to reduce isolation and address gaps in psycho-social support [ 2 , 39 ]. Whilst digitally based interventions can be effective and support improved coverage of mental health support and care, potential harms of digital technology for adolescents and young people need to be considered, and efforts need to be made to ensure equity in access [ 57 ].…”

“…In contexts where poverty and mental health problems already interact to negatively impact mental health of the most marginalised and vulnerable populations, COVID-19 is likely to have heightened and worsened these impacts. This is particularly the case in a country like South Africa, where there is considerable psychiatric morbidity, limited mental healthcare infrastructure, and high rates of poverty and unemployment [ 2 , 3 ]. Poor mental health, including depressive disorders and stress, contributes significantly to the burden of disease in South Africa, and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa [ 4 , 5 ].…”