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PsySSA’s Psychology Practitioners – COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

PsySSA’s Psychology Practitioners – COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

by | Mar 2, 2021 | COVID-19, PsySSA Announcements

 
 
 

Dear PsySSA Member

We trust that this email finds you in good health.

As you may be aware, South Africa’s vaccine rollout to healthcare workers has seen more than 70 000 vaccines already administered to date. This programme is expected to gain momentum in the coming weeks with the addition of more vaccination sites across the country.

As a learned professional society, PsySSA is committed to advocating for vaccine access and equity for all South Africans. We however note the importance of healthcare workers as a priority cohort in general, and to this end, we are currently collating data from our members to assist in supporting a co-ordinated national strategy that facilitates practitioner access to the vaccine in the various phases of the rollout. 

We are therefore collating information to help assess practitioners’ COVID-19 risk and eligibility for vaccination in the current phase of the vaccine rollout programme. 

The information that is to be collected will be used to assist in determining vaccine access priority and hopefully contribute to a more organised referral of practitioners to designated vaccination sites when this becomes possible. 

We therefore ask all members to complete the attached questionnaire to ensure comprehensive data..

 
Click here to complete the questionnaire

We will keep you informed of further developments in the vaccine rollout process as it concerns our members, as well as of the outcomes of our discussions with the Department of Health.

For any further assistance kindly email info@psyssa.com 

In solidarity,
The PsySSA Presidency

Tele-mental health in the digital age: Prospects, pitfalls and provocations for psychological interventions beyond COVID-19- Watch Now!

Tele-mental health in the digital age: Prospects, pitfalls and provocations for psychological interventions beyond COVID-19- Watch Now!

by | Nov 20, 2020 | COVID-19, Uncategorized

Did you miss our fourth webinar, Tele-mental health in the digital age: Prospects, pitfalls and provocations for psychological interventions beyond COVID-19?

Don’t worry, watch it now on our YouTube Page!

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a rapid global transition to forms of tele-health – and for us within the discipline and profession of psychology – tele-mental health. While both tele-health programmes and tele-mental health initiatives have been available for several decades, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an accelerated impetus for the widespread uptake and use of online technology platforms in the delivery of psychological services. Some of this has been related to necessity, as practitioners have attempted to maintain their responsiveness to patients, as well as preserve their own personal income streams. In other instances, many have seen the value of technology in enhancing access to psychological services, that overcomes some of the historical inequities around health information, education and interventions.

But there are also a number of new questions that this transition has raised. What are the new dimensions of ethics and the broad principles of conduct for practitioners under these new conditions? In addition, how efficacious are interventions based on tele-mental health, and how well does patient care and risk management measure up relative to face-to-face interventions? What are the technological dimensions that are both enabling and disabling within these new delivery platforms? How are different practitioners, working in different modalities and from different theoretical perspectives, able or unable to adjust to this new delivery mode? Finally, which psychological needs are best suited to being serviced through these new technologies, and which are less appropriate and amenable to intervention through this medium?

In this webinar, we have several practitioners who are differently located within the profession, and who self-identify as having specific paradigmatic affinities, in dialogue on these prospects, pitfalls and provocations. Given that the effects of COVID-19 are likely to reverberate for some time across all aspects of social life, these are critical points of engagement for practitioners and professionals as the digital age becomes more sedimented in all parts of our lives.

Tele-mental health in the digital age: Prospects, pitfalls and provocations for psychological interventions beyond COVID-19

Tele-mental health in the digital age: Prospects, pitfalls and provocations for psychological interventions beyond COVID-19

by | Oct 21, 2020 | COVID-19, Media and Public Awareness, Psychology in the Media

Webinar Series

Tele-mental health in the digital age: Prospects, pitfalls and provocations for psychological interventions beyond COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a rapid global transition to forms of tele-health – and for us within the discipline and profession of psychology – tele-mental health. While both tele-health programmes and tele-mental health initiatives have been available for several decades, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an accelerated impetus for the widespread uptake and use of online technology platforms in the delivery of psychological services. Some of this has been related to necessity, as practitioners have attempted to maintain their responsiveness to patients, as well as preserve their own personal income streams. In other instances, many have seen the value of technology in enhancing access to psychological services, that overcomes some of the historical inequities around health information, education and interventions.

But there are also a number of new questions that this transition has raised. What are the new dimensions of ethics and the broad principles of conduct for practitioners under these new conditions? In addition, how efficacious are interventions based on tele-mental health, and how well does patient care and risk management measure up relative to face-to-face interventions? What are the technological dimensions that are both enabling and disabling within these new delivery platforms? How are different practitioners, working in different modalities and from different theoretical perspectives, able or unable to adjust to this new delivery mode? Finally, which psychological needs are best suited to being serviced through these new technologies, and which are less appropriate and amenable to intervention through this medium?

In this webinar, we have several practitioners who are differently located within the profession, and who self-identify as having specific paradigmatic affinities, in dialogue on these prospects, pitfalls and provocations. Given that the effects of COVID-19 are likely to reverberate for some time across all aspects of social life, these are critical points of engagement for practitioners and professionals as the digital age becomes more sedimented in all parts of our lives.

Meet our Panellists!

Moderator: Prof Anthony Pillay

Anthony Pillay, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioural Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the South African Journal of Psychology & a Past President of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA). He received his post-doctoral training in Maternal and Child Health at Harvard and his research areas include forensic psychology, professional training, and the mental health of women and children

Panellist:

Dylan Evans

Dylan Evans is a clinical psychologist working in private practice and also Fort Napier Psychiatric Hospital, where he is involved in intern training. He is a little bit of a geek and enjoys tinkering with technology and therefore has an interest in the applications of technology in psychotherapeutic practice. This has led to research on how psychologists use technology in their practices and also the development of initial guidelines for telepsychology in South Africa.

Dr. Kgamadi Kometsi

Dr. Kgamadi Kometsi is a Clinical Psychologist and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. He has taught both at UCT and at Wits in the past, and has recently rejoined the academy following a stint as a manager in the public sector. Dr. Kometsi has a private practice in Highlands North, where he practices a psychoanalytically influenced psychotherapy.

Dr Colinda Linde

Dr Colinda Linde.  Colinda is a clinical psychologist, in private practice since 1993 and specialising in cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety disorders, sleep issues, stress and burnout. She is the founder of The CBT Group, also the creator of the CBT site Thoughtsfirst (www.thoughtsfirst.com) which reflects her passion for self-help.

Colinda has been involved with SADAG since 1999, as an Advisory Board member and Director, also former Chairperson.  Her portfolio includes media as well as counsellor selection and training. She is regularly quoted in written media and professional journals, frequently interviewed on radio and television as an expert guest, and is a keynote speaker on mental health topics and more.
Colinda has authored several books, including Get the balance right- coping strategies for working mothers (Metz Press, 2005), Dealing with panic the CBT way (Alembic, 2015) and Practical Mindfulness (Alembic, 2018) co-authored with Neil Bierbaum, co-founder of the Practical Mindfulness programme.

Mr Zamo Mbele

Zamo Mbele is a clinical psychologist currently practicing as a senior psychotherapist and supervising psychologist at Tara H. Moross Hospital and at the WITS Donald Gordon Medical Centre. Zamo is the vice-chairperson of the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), and a director of the Ububele Education Trust.

Webinar Details

Date: Tuesday, 10th of November 2020

Time: 18:30 – 20:30

Platform: WebinarJam

Join us on WebinarJam as we unpack the Tele-mental health in the digital age, and earn 2 General CEU Points!

Click Here to Register for this Webinar!

SASCP Webinar – Life in COVID-19: What’s Next

SASCP Webinar – Life in COVID-19: What’s Next

by | Sep 15, 2020 | COVID-19, Divisions, The South African Society for Clinical Psychology (SASCP)

The South African Society for Clinical Psychology (SASCP) is hosting a webinar on life in the times of COVID-19

The “what’s next?” webinar seeks to delve further than curability and management of COVID-19, but to stretch to address various adjustment issues presently, and in times to come. This webinar aims to open up a discourse and focuses on how people can respond and draw on their individual capacities to promote resilience.

Event Details:

Date: September 29th, 2020

Time: 17:00 to 18:30

Venue: Zoom

Click Here to RSVP and Receive the Meeting Invite!
How to adjust to working from home: COVID-19 Guidelines

How to adjust to working from home: COVID-19 Guidelines

by | Jul 6, 2020 | COVID-19, Uncategorized

How to adjust to working from home: COVID-19 Guidelines

Corporate Wellness Week is a national awareness campaign that seeks to highlight the importance of developing a healthy work environment (Corporate Wellness Week 2018, 2018).

Written By Ms. Mmehela Giveness Kumbi

Author writes in her capacity as a member of the PsySSA Student Division, a division of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA).

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a steep increase of infections in different parts of the world. Notably, countries with high infection rates had to implement lockdown conditions to limit the spread and number of infections (Frissa & Dessalegn, 2020). As such, the reality of the lockdown meant that most of the normal activities as we know them were put on hold. The lockdown saw workers having to work from home. Consequently, individuals needed to quickly adapt to the “new normal”, this means we had to learn new ways to cope and carry on with our lives as much as possible (Ho, Chee & Ho, 2020; Plomecka et al, 2020). Psychologically this enforced change negatively impacted people’s psychological wellbeing. As such, employees find themselves struggling to deal with the shift from working from the office to a home setting.

Based on this backdrop, it is evident that employees suffered due to the unanticipated change in their work arrangements (Madhi et al., 2020).  This article provides guidelines to assist employees to cope with working from home.

The importance of the Guidelines.

The guidelines will provide support to employees in understanding that whatever they are going through they are not in this alone. Most employees may feel alone and isolated with the lockdown and working from home. The guidelines provide clarity to individuals in that one needs to continue with an already established daily work routine to limit disengagement and low productivity. The reality is we need to adjust, carry on, and remain productive through performing our tasks effectively.

Below are Guidelines to enhancing coping strategies while working from home.

  1. Communication: Keeping in touch with close family and friends

Effective communication and sharing thoughts with those around you, colleagues, family, and friends can boost your self-esteem and boost levels of resilience.  You can also launch a social support network group where you share different experiences and tips for encouragement.

  1. Set clear boundaries for daily activities

To avoid unnecessary disruptions, you may need to limit your activities with family or around your home.

  1. Mindfulness: Keep in track with your thoughts

Practicing mindfulness and keeping good thoughts will enhance your productivity and lower your levels of anxiety. Mindfulness includes breathing exercises; or watching a few funny videos on YouTube, etc.; making time to do something you are passionate about or would like to learn to do.

  1. Keep a daily routine and avoid procrastinating.

As you would normally prepare for work daily, keep the same energy. Wake up as if you are going to work. Keep a list of the tasks you need to do for the day. Draft a realistic timeframe and prioritise certain activities and avoid delaying those tasks.

  1. Avoid exposure to negative news (Pandemic related)

One needs to limit their exposure in watching or reading news that can disrupt your peace. Additionally, do not entertain information that is not validated as misinformation can create panic.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group further encourages organisations to advise their employees to seek help from their employee wellness programs (Hamdulay, 2020). Some employees might experience burnout and increased stress levels, so these programmes should be of assistance.

References

Frissa, S., & Dessalegn, B. W. S. (2020). The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for sub-Saharan Africa.

Hamdulay, D., 2020. South African Depression And Anxiety Group. [online] Sadag.org. Available at: <http://www.sadag.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2279:manage-mental-illness-in-the-workplace&catid=61&Itemid=143>

Ho, C. S., Chee, C. Y., & Ho, R. C. (2020). Mental health strategies to combat the psychological impact of COVID-19 beyond paranoia and panic. Ann Acad Med Singapore, 49(1), 1-3.

Madhi, S. A., Gray, G. E., Ismail, N., Izu, A., Mendelson, M., Cassim, N., … & Venter, F. (2020). COVID-19 lockdowns in low-and middle-income countries: Success against COVID-19 at the price of greater costs. South African Medical Journal.

Plomecka, M. B., Gobbi, S., Neckels, R., Radziński, P., Skórko, B., Lazerri, S., … & Ashraf, Z. (2020). Mental Health Impact of COVID-19: A global study of risk and resilience factors. medRxiv.

Safmh.org.za. 2018. Corporate Wellness Week 2018. [online] Available at: <https://www.safmh.org.za/index.php/news/item/178-corporate-wellness-week-2018>

Sohrabi, C., Alsafi, Z., O’Neill, N., Khan, M., Kerwan, A., Al-Jabir, A., … & Agha, R. (2020). World Health Organization declares global emergency: A review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). International Journal of Surgery.