COVID-19 Resources
During this period of crisis there is an increasing amount of information available relating to coronavirus and COVID-19. In a socially responsive effort to provide credible, relevant and useful information a list of resources, articles and websites are provided below. They are broadly compiled into 3 groupings: 1) Managing mental health 2) Children, adolescents and parenting 3) Credible updated information sources 4) Resources for healthcare workers
As this is an on-going and fluid situation we will adapt and update the list as necessary.
Managing Mental Health
The mental health impact of Covid-19 on South African Society: How to build back better
A 13 page document dated 4th May 2022, compiled by the South African Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19. This advisory committee provides evidence-informed recommendations to address the mental health impact of COVID-19 on all who live in South Africa, with a focus on building back better to prepare for future pandemics and other healthcare crises. The document is entitled - 'The mental health impact of Covid-19 on South African Society: How to build back better'.
MGH Psychiatry Guide to Mental Health resources for COVID-19
This 23-page document produced by the MGH Department of Psychiatry provides an in-depth guide to mental health resources, covering 5 domains: 1) General Mental Health and Coping 2) Specific Mental Health Conditions 3) Families/Children 4) Coping Among Healthcare Workers 5) Mindfulness and Other Tools.
Five way to beat anxiety and take back control of your life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A ‘Based on science’ feature through the University of Cambridge, the article provides information and tips on managing anxiety,
Edited by Damir Huremovic, this Springer published book is described as a 'Mental health response to infection outbreak'. It comprises a range of academic chapters focusing on pandemic related topics including 'Psychology of the Pandemic', 'Mental Health of Quarantine and Isolation' and 'Quarantine and Isolation: Effects on Healthcare Workers' among others.
Managing Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources from the WHO
WHO guidance on Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak as part of risk communication and community engagement technical guidance for COVID-19 response.
Coping with stress during COVID-19
A one-page leaflet with ways to manage stress.
How to address COVID-19 social stigma
A document describing how best to manage social stigma, focusing on language, facts and stigma towards health staff.
Q&A about COVID-19 with Aiysha Malik from the Department of Mental Health on Twitter.
Briefing Note on Mental Health and Psychosocial Aspects of COVID-19
A range of resources providing in-depth information on the potential impact on mental health and other psychosocial aspects of COVID-19. Produced by the United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.
The Psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence
This article published recently in the Lancet provides a summary of the evidence relating to quarantine and its psychological effects from a review of 24 academic papers.
Coping with Uncertainty in Uncertain Times
Prepared by the University of Newcastle it provides a thought-provoking description of uncertainty and models of understanding and managing it.
Love in the time of COVID-19: The mental health and well-being of individuals and communities
Written as an op-ed by staff of the Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health at the University of Cape Town the piece reflects on the impact of COVID-19 in South Africa, with a particular focus on mental health.
That discomfort you’re feeling is grief
Written for the Harvard Business Review the article explores the role of grief in managing during the coronavirus.
COVID-19 Resources
The IASSIDD have put together a wide range of resources focusing on those with intellectual and developmental disabilities including social stories, visual aids and others for parents, families, educators and children.
Children, Adolescents and Parenting
Messages for Mothers - a range of organisations including Embrace, the Perinatal Mental Health Project, Grow Great and Side by Side have worked together to form the Messages for Mothers Alliance. They provide a range of resources and information for mothers during this COVID-19 period.
WHO & UNICEF COVID-19 PARENTING – 1) One-on-One Time 2) Keeping it positive 3) Structure Up 4) Bad Behaviour 5) Keep Calm and Manage Stress 6) Talking about COVID-19
6x one-page documents with useful practical tips for parents created by the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the Lifelong Parenting Health Initiative, available here. Additional relevant resources from the same group are also available on Keeping children safe online, Family budgeting, Family harmony, Learning through play, When we get angry, Parenting in crowded homes and communities.
Tips for Parents in the time of COVID-19
An easy to share one-pager with tips for parents developed by the French Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in collaboration with UCT, CARA, SAACAPAP, IACAPAP, and ASA. Now translated into Xhosa, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sepedi, Setswana, and French.
Coronavirus - A book for children
This illustrated book by Elizabeth Jenner and others is an engaging and easily accessible book for children. With pictures drawn by Axel Scheffler (of Gruffalo fame) it's an engaging way for young ones to learn about coronavirus.
A useful series of pictures and words explaining to children what they can expect if they go to get tested for COVID-19.
Helping children cope with stress during COVID 19
A one-page leaflet with ways children can manage stress put together by the WHO.
Talking to children about COVID-19
Produced by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard School of Public Mental Health this 3-page document describes how to talk to children at their developmental level and practical tips for what can be done as a parent
Tips for Parents in Confinement Situations
A one-page graphic with practical and simple strategies parents can use.
As part of the COVID-19 South African resource portal developed by the department of health this series of videos put together for South African chlldren covers a variety of subjects, including how to wash your hands and why we should stay at home. A great way of children to be told about COVID-19.
âA children's story on Youtube about social distancing.
Created in Belgium this is a short, engaging story told through words and pictures explaining to children what Coronavirus is.
European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Provides a broad range of information focusing on the mental health of children and adolescents. Also gives a large selection of excellent resources and links to individual country child and adolescent mental health associations with a focus on COVID-19 (e.g. American Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, British Psychological Association etc).
Coronavirus and helping children with Autism
A podcast by the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Two experts discuss how the disruptions caused by coronavirus may impact on autistic children. They also provide tips on how to keep well as a parent, and reliable sources for coronavirus updates.
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease
Produced by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network the 5-page fact sheet provides a range of information and tips for parents to manage during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Supporting children and young people with worries about COVID-19
A 19-page document by University of Reading and Oxford with advice for parents, carers and people that work with children and young people. Explores and describes a range of practical tips that can be used.
A wide selection of resources from the U.S. cased Child Mind Institute for families, parents and clinicians during COVID-19.
In conjunction with Philedelphia Children's Hospital and others this Health Care Toolbox provides a collection of tips and strategies for parents.
Credible Updated Information sources for COVID-19
World Health Organisation website providing country and technical guidance, tips to protect yourself, trainings on COVID-19 preparedness, travel advice, and more.
Up-to-date announcements from the WHO.
COVID-19/Coronavirus South African Resource Portal
Developed by the Department of Health this website provides a range of local resources, including information, videos, press releases and up-to-date news about COVID-19 in South Africa.
Western Cape Department of Healthâ
The Department of Health provides up-to-date information on COVID-19 in that province.
John Hopkins University coronavirus COVID-19 global cases map
A map with an up-to-date total globally and from individual countries
John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Centre
A comprehensive website from John Hopkins University with a wide variety of information, podcasts, resources and news items relating to COVID-19.
The Lancet: COVID-19 Scientific Resource Centre
This resource brings together COVID-19 content from across The Lancet Journals as it is published. All of the their COVID-19 content is free to access.
Elsevier: Novel Coronavirus Information Center
This is Elsevier’s free health and medical research on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19.
Resources for healthcare workers
Ten Percent Happier: Coronavirus sanity guide
A collection of podcasts, meditations, blog posts and talks this website provides practical, actionable ways for health care workers to manage during times of stress and anxiety.
A fact sheet for child-serving professionalsâ
Developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network this 7 page document describes the experience of secondary traumatic stress, understanding who is at risk, and strategies for prevention and intervention
COVID-19 resources for healthcare staffâ
A Health Care Toolbox with a range of tips and strategies for health care workers to manage during COVID-19.
Mental Health Outcomes among Health Care Workers
Recently published in the Journal of American Medical Association this peer reviewed paper is entitled 'Factors associated with mental health outcomes of health care workers exposed to Coronavirus Disease 2019.
Strategies to support the well-being of clinicians during COVID-19
Developed by the National Academy of Medicine this short document outlines a series of short strategies and tips health care workers can do during COVID-19.
Managing health challenges faced by healthcare workers
Written by Professor Neil Greenberg and colleagues and published in the British Medical Journal this article set out measures that healthcare managers can use to protect the mental health of healthcare staff having to make morally challenging decisions.
Top ten messages for supporting healthcare workers
Written by Professor Richard Williams from University of South Wales and colleagues this discussion document is intended to aid NHS leaders and clinical and general managers to create an agenda for discussion with staff in team meetings with a view to working out how they might respond to the needs of staff and provide them with support. The document has insights and guidance that is relevant and applicable to the South African context.