Effects of COVID-19 on the economy and mental health of young people in South Africa: opportunities for strengthening social protection programmes by integrating mental health
Alejandra Álvarez-Iglesias, Emily Garman, Crick Lund
Abstract
The majority of COVID-19 cases in sub-Saharan Africa are found in South Africa, where one third of young people are not in employment, education or training. As the world continues to fight the COVID-19 virus spread, an increasing volume of studies are analysing and trying to predict the consequences of the pandemic on the economy and on physical and mental health. This article describes the economic and psychological impact of COVID-19 in South Africa’s youth specifically, the efforts made to tackle these issues, and the opportunities to integrate mental health into the country’s social protection measures, such as the Child Support Grant.
Topics & Concepts
Mental healthPandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Economic growthPolitical sciencePsychology2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Development economicsPsychiatryMedicineEconomicsInfectious disease (medical specialty)VirologyOutbreakPathologyDiseaseEmployment and Welfare StudiesCOVID-19 and Mental HealthCOVID-19 Pandemic Impacts