Dealing with COVID fear and anxiety requires one to assume daily responsibility for these emotions, so that they can be managed properly.

Leanie Brits, Zain Julies, Janine Van Sitters-Mintoor and Samantha Hanslo, counselling psychologists in the Student Counselling Department, say COVID and lockdown have certainly overwhelmed people’s basic ability to cope and deal with the daily stressors associated with the current uncertain situation.

Brits says fear is often made worse by having limited knowledge about COVID and may often lead to panic-buying, excessive avoidance of situations or even stigma and discrimination against others. “These behaviours often are an unhealthy attempt to make sense of the pandemic and to try and control the situation,” she adds.

Brits point out that while fear may be overwhelming it can be managed responsibly. Hanslo, Van-Sitters-Mintoor and Julies share the following tips for staff and students:  

• Focus on what you can control in your immediate environment. Try to focus on the here and now. What tomorrow or the day after may bring is not in our control. You can plan your day and engage in routine activities- keep your focus on these.
• Adjusting your routine can also create new energy and motivation if you feel overwhelmed by boredom
• Engage in practical tasks and activities that will assume your focus including listening to music, reading or cooking a new recipe.
• Maintain healthy coping mechanisms and ensure that your eating, sleeping and exercising habits are maintained.
• Be aware of news and social media triggers that increase your anxiety. Rather limit media exposure and screen time.
• It is essential that you connect with people and try to maintain social/virtual contact- this will boost your sense of belonging and enhance your sense of support

The psychological impact of COVID on the CPUT community is evident. Ruben, an HIV Peer Educator in the Faculty of Applied Science says that missing one’s campus friends to whom one usually confided can make life unbearable.

“Being at home, seeing the reality of the household can be scary for most. Seeing how mom or dad or the elderly sibling having less food than normal to accommodate you, yet we are sometimes ungrateful can also affect one mentally,” adds Ruben.

The Department of Student Counselling has launched various online activities, including support groups, workshop and webinars and psychoeducational resources aimed at addressing various topics related to COVID fear and stigma, mental healthcare and support topics.

This includes two weekly student online support groups, Lockdown Worriers and Coping with Covid-19, aimed at supporting students with adjustment to lockdown and supporting those who have been directly impacted by COVID.

* If your worry or anxiety are persistent and constant, and you are finding it hard to stop worrying about the coronavirus, it is best to seek support.

COVID-19 toll free line: 0800 029 999

Higher Health 24-hour counselling support line: 0800 36 36 36

Request CPUT counselling support at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For CPUT students, request counselling support at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For staff, contact CPUT Lifestyle and Wellness Specialist at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by Kwanele Butana
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“When I started seeing the symptoms, I kept quiet, I hid my symptoms from everyone because I feared what they were going to say, if they are still going to see me as a good peer educator. As a peer educator I was supposed to be more careful. It was hard accepting that I was sick but I had to stop being selfish and accept it and find help for the sake of everyone else.”

These are the words of a CPUT HIV peer educator describing the fears and concern about stigma they felt after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Leanie Brits and Thirushni Sam, counselling psychologists from the Department of Student Counselling, said the COVID-19 pandemic has affected people in many ways.

“You may be someone who has experienced stigma or discrimination first-hand or may be someone trying to come to terms with your own personal fear and anxiety related to the pandemic.”

She said that people often do not realise that they are expressing stigmatising language, attitudes or thoughts or engaging in stigmatising or discriminatory behaviour.

“Fear and anxiety are the root cause of stigma related behaviour.”

Groups of people who are often stigmatised include people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are receiving medical care, their close contacts or family as well as frontline and healthcare workers.

“The impact of stigma and discrimination create lasting psychosocial consequences that persist longer than the infection and pandemic itself,” said Sam.

The consequences of having been subjected to stigma and discrimination, can result in the following:

• Hiding symptoms of any illness to avoid discrimination
• Avoiding health check-ups
• Avoiding seeking help when feeling ill or disclosing a positive COVID diagnosis
•  which may lead to furthering transmission within the community
• Social exclusion or rejection by others
• Denial of services
• Struggling to adopt healthy behaviours
• Physical abuse or violence
• Self-blame and shame
• Increasing mental health challenges like depression, anxiety and substance use
• Personal trauma due to being treated differently
• Self-isolation and not obtaining support due to fear of stigma

“Through self-awareness and personal reflection, one can become aware of one’s own personal beliefs and attitudes that accompany the pandemic. Therefore, it is each person’s personal responsibility to manage COVID-related fears and anxieties and reduce social stigma.” said Brits.

Sam highlighted that “COVID-19 presents an opportunity to strengthen our social resilience and build a stronger community.”

The Department of Student Counselling has launched various online activities, including support groups, workshop and webinars and psychoeducational resources aimed at addressing various topics related to COVID fear and stigma, mental healthcare and support topics.

This includes two weekly student online support groups, Lockdown Worriers and Coping with Covid-19, aimed at supporting students with adjustment to lockdown and supporting those who have been directly impacted by COVID.

 *If you have been affected by COVID-19 related fear, anxiety or stigma, please consider making use of the following support resources:

COVID-19 toll free line: 0800 029 999

Higher Health 24-hour counselling support line: 0800 36 36 36

For CPUT students, request counselling support at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For staff, contact CPUT Lifestyle & Wellness Specialist at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.