ONE could agree that the less said about Covid-19 the better.
The pandemic has left families with bitter hearts and dark memories. Loved ones were killed like flies by one wave after another and left many in tears. Not only were lives lost, but people lost their sense of being. Breadwinners became beggars as many of them lost their jobs.
Businesses couldn't afford to keep all their employees as trade dropped to its lowest. Companies found it difficult to stay afloat, making it difficult to keep all their staff. Workers were put off and it became difficult for the youth who were looking for employment to stay confident in their search.
Yes, one could say you are lucky to be alive and to have been afforded another opportunity to see another day after such a harsh and close encounter with death.
But it can be agreed that Covid did the worst. The only positive thing the pandemic did was to enlighten people, especially the youth.
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So much was exposed to the public. Like how corrupt our government actually is. The corruption with the monies that were meant to help those in need, especially in the public health sector from the exposure of the state of government hospitals, to the PPE scandals.
What has the youth learnt from all this mess? Well, according to a survey conducted by SACAP (The South African College of Applied Psychology), there has been a slight increase in mental health awareness since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Mzansi.
The survey outlined that more people are now aware of the importance of mental health and this includes the South African youth.
The survey was a result of 850 internet-connected respondents aged between 17 and 20 years and was based on how the youth would get mental health help if it was available.
The survey also found that the youth reported high levels of mental health challenges arising from universal experiences such as the climate crisis, economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability and social media threats and pressures. And other challenges rooted in South Africa's socio-economic landscape post Covid 19.
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According to the head of SACAP in the Joburg Campus, Jogini Packery, the research shows the top five mental health issues facing youth globally, namely: anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and self-harm and suicidal behaviours.
In conclusion, post Covid-19, most youth agree that for one to make informed decisions, one must be aware of the importance of mental health and seek help if needed.
