Pandemic Shifts
Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand (Onsite)
Teletherapy: Perspectives from the Therapists View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Karen Becker
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing made in-person therapy sessions impractical, yet the need for therapeutic services continued. Teletherapy encourages ongoing therapy for behavioral health clients and increased care at a time when having in person therapy is not possible. There have been studies conducted and literature written regarding the benefits of teletherapy and increased use meeting the best needs of the client. The experiences of the clients demonstrate increased hope, access to services and support. The primary focus of the literature is on the value of teletherapy for the client and the experiences of the client with little focus on the therapist’s perspective. The use of teletherapy has expanded significantly with increased exploration of the experiences of providing and receiving services remotely. This paper focuses on the literature regarding the perspectives of therapists providing teletherapy remotely from their homes. The experiences of the behavioral health therapists are not as well-known as from that of the client. The objective of this paper is to identify the experiences of the behavioral health therapist providing teletherapy remotely from their homes. This study provides behavioral health organizations with an understanding of the therapist’s perspective of providing teletherapy. A literature review and critical analysis are the foundation of the paper. Conclusions are drawn that the perspective of behavioral health therapists providing therapy remotely from home may differ from that of the client’s perspective, in terms of effectiveness and methodologies of care.
Featured Emotional Health Promotion by the Government and the Church View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Janelle Christine Simmons
This study focuses on the responses of COVID-19 from the government (i.e., a general entity representation by various nations) and faith-based organizations (i.e., primarily the church and associated entities). This research is interpretative by nature, but is founded in sources such as; Books, Book Chapters, Journal Articles, Newspaper Articles, and Website Searches. We are challenged to see how the church and the government interface when it comes to difficult situations such as the pandemic. Additionally, freedom is considered and viewed through the lens of the findings of this interpretative study and how it intersects with well-being.
Family vulnerability and health profiles based on WHODAS 12, Katz and IVF-D scales View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Julia Córdoba, María José Bagnato
The main objective of this study is twofold; on the one hand, to study the interaction between three indicators of disability, dependence and family vulnerability. On the other hand, to determine socio-demographic and health profiles through this relationship. The indicators will be obtained from three standardised scales: i) the shortened version of the WHODAS 2.0 to measure disability (WHO, 2010), ii) the Katz Index (Katz et al., 1963) and iii) Índice de Vulnerabilidad Familiar por Discapacidad y Dependencia (IVF-DD, Améndola et al., 2014). This research is relevant in at least three dimensions: i) it measures disability, dependence and vulnerability in the same population group using standardised instruments, ii) it makes it possible to study the relationship between these three indicators, and iii) it makes it possible to describe specific needs according to the heterogeneity of the profiles obtained. It is based on the ICF approach (WHO, 2001) to disability, which establishes that the severity of a person's disability is analysed by considering their health condition, personal characteristics and the context in which they live. The first will generate certain functional limitations, while the other two may compensate or make it more difficult to carry out activities of daily living and social inclusion. The severity of disability, then, is related to indicators of social vulnerability (associated with social exclusion) and with indicators of participation and existence of social networks (associated with social inclusion).
Access to mental health services: Narratives of black students from rural South Africa
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nyameka Mbonambi
Mental health problems among students entering tertiary institution are rive, and are driven, in part, by the immense pressure on academic, changes that student’s face, besides adjusting to university life, is leaving their families behind. In addition, the shift from rural areas or townships to university simultaneously brings excitement and anxiety for black students who leave their homes with a hope to obtain a degree at a university such as the University of the Witwatersrand. The HerMind Woman’s study is concerned with understanding the perceptions of black female students from rural areas on the effectiveness of mental health facilities on campus. Experienced Centered Narrative framework was used to understand how the student perceived these services. Seminar/study provided a platform for story telling from individuals who have experienced and dealt with mental illness. Semi-structured interviews were also collected with ten final year students using an interview schedule to allow female students to share mental health stories and to give meaning to their lived experiences. The results demonstrate intersections such as socio-economic background, culture, gender, geographic location, race, and age impact black female students’ mental health and their interpretation of mental health treatment experiences. The existing unit are do not offer effective mental health treatment that addresses challenges students from rural areas face thus, mental health treatment service need to factor in discourses of race, geographic location and language in treatment programs.
