Projects per year
Abstract
Introduction: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including South Africa, there is a paucity of psychosocial support services. Therefore, services are often provided in schools by non-government organisations like Community Keepers (CK). The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant restrictions meant that children and young people’s (CYP) lives changed, negatively affecting their mental health. Further, organisations like CK had to change their working processes.
Method: This project compared routinely collected data from CK from 2019 (pre-pandemic) to 2020 (pandemic) to describe the changes that occurred in referral patterns to, and service provision by, CK. Results: Both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic, most referrals of CYP were for emotional/psychological support and behavioural difficulties. In 2020, referrals for general guidance increased, whilst referrals for peer group issues and sexuality decreased. Further, CK completed more brief check-ins, provided wellbeing workshops to increased numbers of teachers, parents and CYP, and had more consultation sessions with other service providers during the pandemic.
Discussion: Routinely collected data from this community-based service in a LMIC context shows differences in the way that support was provided, and to whom, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical implications, including the importance of increasing access to psychosocial support via technology, are included.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1462-1480 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 19 Jul 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Oct 2024 |
Funding
The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR, NHS or the UK Department of Health and Social Care. The authors acknowledge the efforts of all those who contributed to collecting and collating the data used here, during routine practice within a global pandemic. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Funders | Funder number |
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Department of Health and Social Care | |
National Institute for Health and Care Research |
Keywords
- anxiety
- children and young people
- COVID-19
- depression
- LMIC
- prevention
- school-based
- South Africa
- third sector provision
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
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Improving access to timely evidence-based help for youth mental health using single session interventions
Loades, M. (PI)
National Institute for Health Research
1/05/23 → 30/11/28
Project: Central government, health and local authorities