Have you been constantly anxious, having panic attacks or feeling depressed since South Africa went into lockdown due to Covid-19? Has the loss of everyday social connections left you frustrated, angry and demotivated with a general low mood?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the social distancing and lockdown of the country could have affected you more that you realize.

The North-West University (NWU) will be hosting an online mental health workshop for staff members who are currently not coping.

The 75 minute long webinar will be presented via Zoom on 8 April at 11am. It can accommodate a maximum of 300 participants. All you need to connect to this essential workshop is a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam (or an iPad), a decent internet connection and a quiet space to sit down.

Join the Zoom meeting by clicking on https://zoom.us/j/987647606 - or download the Zoom app from the Apple iOS or Google Play Stores and then join by using the following Meeting ID: 987 647 606.

What to expect during the webinar

During the webinar, Prof Pieter Kruger, a consultant clinical psychologist and director of the NWU’s Centre for Health & Human Performance (CHHP), will identify the main psychological challenges posed by a pandemic such as Covid-19.

He will explain the latest research in the fields of cognitive behavioural psychology and neuroscience, providing participants with an understanding of the mechanics of anxiety and why the brain struggles to deal with uncertainty.

The workshop will also explore some of the particular psychological challenges related to the Covid-19 lockdown, including self-isolation and social distancing.

Prof Kruger will also provide participants with evidence-based tools and techniques to help them deal with anxiety effectively and incorporate functional behaviours during this challenging time. This will be followed by a short question and answer session and a referral to further resources.