Building a Unified, Relevant, and Responsive Psychology
Please see details on how Discovery will fund Telehealth/Virtual Consults for Psychology in line with the principles being applied across all health professional disciplines.
It is our responsibility to understand the risks and ramifications of COVID-19, and to be the ones the community can depend on for information, help and support. We don’t have to have all the answers, but we must be willing to find out and we don’t have to do everything, but we must be ready to find help.
The information presented here is intended as a resource for all Psychology Practitioners to help them to help others during the crisis and will be updated as needed. To suggest changes or additions, please get in touch with the PsySSA Executive Director (fatima@psyssa.com). We are stronger together!
As PsySSA, we are committed to navigating the current crisis, and implementing necessary plans in ways that allow us to continue to support you, engage with you, and uphold the Society’s vision and mission, while also supporting and helping the nation in its time of need. We hope that we can also draw on your expertise and strength as we work collectively towards ensuring the best possible outcomes during this pandemic for the multiple service users and publics whom we serve.
It is in this regard that PsySSA has joined a multi-stakeholder initiative to support South African health care workers (HCW). This initiative aims to coordinate a database of mental health care providers who are willing to volunteer their time to help health care workers cope psychologically during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The database will allow for the linking of psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers with health care workers who may need psychosocial support. The aim is to provide virtual/online support, in line with the President’s directive to limit movement and interaction.
Are you willing to do pro-bono short-term tele-therapy? If so, kindly click on the button below and complete the Google Form with all your relevant details.
The 30th of March 2020 marks annual World Bipolar Day (WBD). The theme this year is Strength for Today, Hope for Tomorrow. This commemorative effort is to ensure that people are informed and reminded of the seriousness of Bipolar Disorder that affects, and in the same breath to also raise awareness on the management and treatment of the disorder. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Bipolar Disorder is a prevalent condition, with figures indicating that it affects between 40 and 60 million people worldwide.
Three-quarters of the people in South Africa who suffer from mental disorders, including Bipolar Disorder are not getting the care they need, due to stigma, other forms of social discrimination, and various other factors. The provision of services for mental health in our public health institutions remains far from optimal. The public sector faces a severe shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists. The minority of Clinical Psychologists registered with the Health Professions Council of SA are working in the public sector.
The core feature of Bipolar Disorder is fluctuating episodes of mood changes (i.e. between abnormally high moods and abnormally low moods), and these emotionally distressing experiences can affect various aspects of one’s life such as occupationally and interpersonally. In the South African context, one can imagine that stressors such as financial difficulties, health problems, and high levels of unemployment etc. may be triggers that may not only predispose one to developing a mental illness, but also to perpetuate and worsen pre-existing symptoms. For example, it is well documented that untreated Bipolar Disorder can lead to reckless behaviours, substance abuse, as well as an increased risk of self-harm behaviours. It is the hope that raising awareness of Bipolar Disorder, its presentation and management through accurate dissemination of information, in educational, religious, occupational institutions etc., that people can seek appropriate and timely treatment to manage symptoms, that encourages leading a normal life and preventing relapse. Through the careful management and education about Bipolar Disorder, we edge forward in decreasing stigma around mental illness and dispelling myths that create fear.
Overall Bipolar Disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives. It is encouraged that individuals who feel they are experiencing symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, consult their local GP, a psychologist, or psychiatrist who will be able to assist with treatment options or at least a referral for adequate treatment.
Individuals and families can contact the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) which is a non-governmental organisation seeking to advocate for and uphold the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities and people with intellectual disabilities, if they are concerned that they may be experiencing bipolar symptoms and/ or would just like further guidance to help someone else.
SAFMH contact numbers are Telephone: +27(11) 781 1852, Facsimile: +27(86) 558 6909 or Email: info@safmh.org
Alternatively, they can reach out to Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) office on (011) 486 3322, who can assist to locate the registered Psychologists in their geographical area.
In light of COVID-19 challenges, members of the public are encouraged to consider a “virtual” observance of WBD this year. Live webinars, short video recordings, social media postings, blogging, etc. are all tools that are familiar to many and can help get the message out.
For those using social media to post videos and photographs to help raise awareness of bipolar disorder, you are encouraged to use the hashtags #WorldBipolarDay and #BipolarStrong whilst tagging @intlbipolar on Twitter and Instagram and @InternationalBipolarFoundation on Facebook.
The below articles contain useful overview information that can be accessed to learn more about Bipolar disorder and its management:
https://www.bps.org.uk/blogs/dr-funke-baffour/truth-about-bipolar-disorder
The Council for Medical Schemes’ (CMS) governance structure, the Council, in concurrence with the Minister of Health, wishes to advise the industry of the following interventions, aimed at protecting the interests of members, in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent national lockdown from 26 March until 16 April 2020.
1. COVID-19 is a Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) condition
All cases of COVID 19 are regarded as Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB) condition and should be funded in full in line with the current NICD guidelines as published.
In line with clinical protocols and benefit guidelines, this should cover:
In accordance with the Medical Schemes Act of 1998, the use of designated service providers, clinical protocols and formularies should apply. This will apply for as long as the epidemic persists.
2. Telemedicine
The CMS encourages the usage and appropriate funding of Telehealth consultations in accordance with the updated notice on the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) regulatory guidelines.
3. Termination of membership due to non-payment
In the spirit of social solidarity as outlined by the President during his address to the nation on Monday, 23 March 2020, the CMS requests that schemes investigate all disruptions to member contributions on a case by case basis and determine the merits thereof, prior to termination.
4. Price and tariff negotiations
The CMS supports price and tariff negotiations between key players aimed at improving access to care, prevention of exploitation of patients and cost reduction in the health sector as reflected in section 4 and 5 of Regulation No. 43114 published by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Section 4 and 5 of the same regulation provides that at the request of the Department of Health, and subject to the oversight and guidance by the Department of Health, agreements must accordingly be approved and duly authorised by the Minister of Health.
5. Medical Schemes, Administrators and Managed Care Organisations as support to essential services
The CMS, Medical schemes and related entities will be regarded as support to essential services and therefore need to operate some functions during the lockdown including:
All statutory reporting should conform to set deadlines. The CMS will continue to monitor compliance with these statutory deadlines and will communicate changes in due course.
The CMS will also be totally shut down for business between 10 and 13 April 2020 for the Easter Holidays.
Finally, the CMS wishes to stress the importance of adhering to social distancing, and good hygiene practices including hand washing and sanitising as we confront this pandemic.
Dr Sipho Kabane
Chief Executive & Registrar Council for Medical Schemes
Cover is granted to all psychologists who undertakes online therapy/ telepsychology during the COVID-19 pandemic only, should a practitioner wish to provide these services as part of scope of practice as part of full scope of services our normal protocol, review and procedures will apply.
Please send FNB Insurance Brokers an email notifying them that you will be working online during the Covid-19 Shutdown : psyssa@fnb.co.za
Please find attached updated endorsement to be used, kindly note the following: