From distributing food parcels to communities, supporting GBV victims, counselling broken families to work closely with teachers during the pandemic, social workers have done a reliant job as front liners during the pandemic
Showing their gratitude to the social workers in Western Cape Province, Premier Winde and MEC Fernandez engage with Wynberg Social workers.
“Social workers have been at the forefront, ensuring our mental wellbeing, throughout the pandemic,” said the Premier.
Their visit to the Provincial Department of Social Development’s regional office in Wynberg was motivated by the World Mental Health that is on the 10th of October 2021.
In recognizing social workers on their experiences and challenges faced during the pandemic, particularly in the field of rendering psycho-social support.
MEC Fernandez and Premier Winde joined the staff from service delivery areas at the Regional Office to commend them for their tremendous contribution to supporting mental wellbeing together throughout the pandemic.
According to the NIDS-CRAM Wave 5 report, 52% of respondents have experienced significant levels of depressive symptoms since the start of the pandemic and 40% of adults living with children in food-insecure households displayed signs of depressed mood in April 2021.
“It was very encouraging to hear back from our social workers who have been at the coalface throughout the pandemic helping to support the mental wellbeing of residents during their darkest hours.
We know that the pandemic has taken a significant toll on mental wellbeing and meeting with social workers today was important not only in hearing from those who provide services on the ground but also to acknowledge and thank our social workers for their important contributions.” said Premier Winde
Social workers are responsible for helping individuals, families, and groups of people cope with problems they’re facing to improve their patients’ lives.
The Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute report on social work during the Covid-19 crisis sustainability shows pandemic human rights were constantly violated by the government or organization. Social workers were here to support the people.
Addressing the media at the press briefing on March 2021, Lindiwe Zulu said over 1800 social workers will be recruited to help increase social support during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Zulu mentioned that many households faced numerous challenges during the national lockdown and the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic; there was a growing need to help increase social assistance to families.
“Social services professionals are continuously at the frontline of this pandemic.
We are recruiting an additional 1809 social workers to reinforce the current workforce and to provide a range of social work services.
This includes timely psychosocial interventions to assist individuals and families,” Zulu said.
By Siphokazi Mnyobe
