Dealing with serious mental health problems arising from the COVID-19 pandemic
A report by Swiss Re is predicting a wave of serious mental health problems across the world, as Covid-19 progresses through its late phases. The report states that those affected will include people who suffered a severe initial illness, those who mentally struggled to cope with lockdown or the economic consequences of the pandemic, and those who experienced nervous conditions as a result of infection. [1]
These health challenges are not unprecedented. Studies have shown that pandemics, by their nature, leave a wave of serious mental health issues in their wake, long after the effects of the underlying disease have passed through the population. This was observed in Sierra Leone, after the Ebola pandemic left many suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, because of the fear of dying from this ailment. In Hong Kong, during the swine flu pandemic of 2009, 19% of adults reported panic, low mood or mental disturbances at the height of the outbreak. [2]
Closer to home, a recent academic study in Soweto, published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), showed that the Covid-19 pandemic has, or is, causing considerable mental stress in many adults. Up to 20% of the participants reported potent experiences of anxiety, fear and “thinking too much” as a result of the pandemic. The report made clear that the additional burden of problems in South Africa, such as crime and socio-economic inequality, also serve to heighten the effects of serious mental stress. [3]
Only a matter of time
Previous experience and emerging global predictions indicate that it is only a matter of time before this becomes a significant issue. This is consistent with the widely accepted notion that a poor economy leads to a general increase in disability claims, and less current claimants returning to work. The deterioration of the economy, in this instance, has been caused largely by the impact of lockdowns at varying levels, which came at a time of stagnant economic growth.
The question is - how do we deal with this predicted wave of mental health problems as an industry and as advisers?
This is unknown territory, however, being insured against serious psychological illnesses is an obvious first step. It is important to ensure that fund members and clients have adequate benefits that protect the financial security of employees, and their families, in the event of serious mental difficulties that cause illnesses and result in having to take time off work. These benefits include income protection, which replaces a certain proportion of their income, and capital disability benefits which pay out a cash lump sum to help them adjust to a new way of life.
Financial and emotional support
According to studies on the mental health effects of pandemics, one of the greatest fears affecting many people is how they would cope if a loved one, dependant or bread winner passed away from a disease. A suite of emotional support solutions can play an important role in helping to assist employees in coping with the loss of a loved one.
These emotional support solutions could include emergency and assistance services such as access to medical information and advice, legal advice, a trauma helpline, emergency ambulance services and a hospital admission guarantee. In addition, if employees have a funeral policy, this could include access to funeral assistance services, such as body repatriation.
These types of financial and emotional support solutions are all the tools advisers have at their disposal, to offer clients protection against the predicted wave of serious mental health cases as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
ENDS
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