COVID-19 causing increased tension in households – CCPA Director

With the partial lockdown and curfew measures implemented over six weeks ago, families have been spending more time at home rather than engaging in their usual social and work activities.

According to Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene during Thursday’s COVID-19 update, many parents are having difficulties coping during this time. Moreover, additional conflicts may arise between parties.
“It is also understandable that with everyone being at home together some conflicts are unavoidable, but how families cope will have a great impact on the children. Parents are anxious and many are having difficulty coping, resulting in frustration with the children, but we as parents need to manage our anxiety,” Greene said.
She went on to say that caregivers and parents are also tasked with the additional responsibility of ensuring their children are still learning, despite some cases where resources are lacking to sustain their daily needs.
“The threat of COVID-19 presents daily challenges to the wellbeing of children and families. Parents, caregivers and guardians suddenly become responsible for managing the children’s education due to school being out and to cope with the other challenges with the necessary imposed partial lockdown, which may include a lack of adequate resources for the sustenance of the family. Coping with this has resulted with increased tension and anxiety in the home.”
During Wednesday’s update, Director of the Mental Health Unit at the Ministry, Dr Util Thomas noted that everyone was affected in some way or the other by COVID-19, with the pressure of modifying lifestyle practices.
“We have been forced to adapt to a new lifestyle to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Staying at home with our families, wearing a mask, washing our hands regularly, and finding new hobbies and routines have become the new norm. Many of us are finding it hard to adjust. The stress associated with this period is manifesting in different ways for some of us; lack of sleep, constant fear, anger, confusion, frustration, anxiety, and depression are what we face daily,” she stated.
According to Dr Thomas, in order to cope with all these different challenges, persons should ensure that they are talking to someone they trust about their problems, thoughts, and feelings.
“Even if that person cannot solve the problem, just talking sometimes is enough. A problem shared is a problem halved. When we talk about a problem, our brain releases chemicals which ease the symptoms of stress. Vice versa, we must be ready to listen to others so that they too can have the same benefits. Listen without being judgmental or forcing persons to talk,” she stressed.
The Mental Health Director further explained that persons should know about the help available to them especially in their communities. These include the religious groups, non-governmental organisations, the healthcare facilities where healthcare workers are found, Ministries and other Government Departments, clubs, etc.
Dr Thomas went on to note that persons should set aside unrealistic tasks that they may not be able to complete and instead, prioritise focus on those that can be done with ease. This, she explained, will reduce stress and increase their sense of achievement, which will then give them the opportunity and drive to focus on the larger tasks.