Some challenges families are reportedly facing during COVID-19

Many families all over the world are experiencing fear, stress or worry due to the enormous difficulties which we are currently in this global pandemic. These responses may make one feel isolated and alone cut off from the world and our normal everyday activities as well as friends, families and our support systems. These responses are normal especially during such an intense time of uncertainty such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even though it is easy to feel alone there are many, many people and families that are experiencing the same fear and worry as you are. Faced with new realities of working from home, financial stress, home schooling children on top of the fear of contracting the actual virus.

Below is a list of just a few of the challenges reported by families across the world during the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Increased rate of anxiety and depression.

2. Concern about finances.

3. Loss of employment or concern and worry about losing employment

4. Higher rates of parental mental illness combined with children spending more time at home.

5. Feeling of isolation and being cut off from your support systems.

6. Increase in the marital disputes including increases in domestic violence cases.

7. Increase in the use of substances such as alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

8. Finding it difficult to balance work, home and personal issues.

9. Difficulty with homeschooling.

10. Children experiencing higher rates of stress and anxiety.

11. Single parents or divorced parents not being able to see their children.

12. Fear and worry about catching the virus or a family member catching the virus.

13. Constantly thinking about the virus and wanting updates about the virus often.

There are many more challenges that families are facing. These challenges are especially difficult within the poorer communities, overcrowded housing, less access to essential resources and protective equipment as well as lower employment rates.

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown our whole lives upside down and we are unsure of how long we will have to continue to live under these circumstances. However, it is important that you take note and care for your mental health as well as your family's mental health during times of crisis like this.

I have created 5x5 minute online video workshops with tips to help with family stress find the videos in under the online workshops tab.

List of resources:

CDC. (2020, July 1). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Coping with Stress. Centres for disease control and prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Ellen, B. (2020). COVID-19 Advice from a Family Therapist. Britannica for parents: https://parents.britannica.com/covid-19-advice-from-a-family-therapist/

Kobor, M. S., Odgers, C., Schmidt, K., & Vent-Schmidt, R. (2020, July 12). The long-term biological effects of COVID-19 stress on kids’ future health and development. Retrieved from The conversation: https://theconversation.com/the-long-term-biological-effects-of-covid-19-stress-on-kids-future-health-and-development-140533

Makan, A. (2020, April 10). COVID-19, Lockdown and your mental health. COVID-19 online resources and new portal: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/2020/04/10/covid-19-lockdown-and-your-mental-health/

Roos, L., & Tomfohr-Madsen, L. (2020, August 16). Family mental health crisis: Parental depression, anxiety during COVID-19 will affect kids too. The conversation: https://theconversation.com/family-mental-health-crisis-parental-depression-anxiety-during-covid-19-will-affect-kids-too-144050