Honoris United Universities, whose subsidiaries in SA include higher education institution REGENT Business School and MANCOSA, has in conjunction with the Moroccan charity Sourire de Reda, which works to alleviate the silent pain of young people, published “My Care”, a guide to help the youth deal with confinement during the lockdown.
The digital booklet aims to help young people better understand what they are going through during lockdown by identifying the emotions caused by social distancing.
The e-book which provides young people with a series of recommendations and tips for getting through this period in the best possible mental state has been endorsed by the South African Federation for Mental Health and Befrienders South Africa.
Bharti Patel, president of the SA Federation of Mental Health (SAFMH), said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the general population, increasing levels of stress and anxiety as people adjust to the lockdown regulations.
“Due to the lockdown, many companies experienced a loss in revenue and the extended
lockdown has created more difficulties for businesses who might never recover from the losses.
Employees faced uncertainty regarding their income which impacts the mental wellbeing of families.
“The SAFMH has received messages of distress from mental health care users who have found themselves stranded in situations that are compromising their mental well-being, while others have been seeking mental healthcare services they can access.
“The SAFMH is concerned about the younger population who are experiencing isolation and stress due to changing study patterns and the limited social interaction. We call on those who need help and support to reach out to the various support options available.
“The e-book helps to provide tools for young people to deal with the lockdown in the best way possible.”
“My Care” was developed through the joint expertise of Morocco-based Sourire de Reda organisation which offers suicide prevention and crisis support as well as the Faculties of Health Sciences of member institutions of the Honoris United Universities network in Africa. The e-book covers all aspects regarding youth in lockdown, from family life to school, including time management, food, sports, artistic activities and relationship with social networks among other aspects.
“We thank Honoris United Universities for their contribution in this booklet and their support for our organization. It is vital during this period of anxiety to make available simple and accessible tools for the youth, in order to approach the coming weeks in the best possible mental state,” said Meryeme Bouzidi Laraki, president of Sourire de Reda.
Sourire de Reda has observed that young people have been going through a period of stress and confusion during the lockdown. This distress can be linked to several factors: school pressure, lack of visibility on exams and competition to access schools and universities, isolation being far from friends, family and resourceful people, lack of privacy in their home, or the upsurge of cyber-harassment situations due to increase in time spent on the web.
Sourire de Reda also noted that for some young people, the conditions of the lockdown can be very hard. This is particularly the case for young people confined with an abusive family, those who suffer from addictions and are in “forced” withdrawal without psychological support, young people with severe physical disabilities, living with psychiatric disorders or even facing illness or death of a loved one without being able to be with them during these difficult times.
The “My CARE” e-book is available for download on the following websites:
www.mancosa.co.za
www.regent.ac.za
www.safmh.org
www.honoris.net
www.sourire2reda.org/
ABOUT SOURIRE DE REDA:
Sourire de Reda has worked for over ten years to help suffering young people and to prevent acts of violence, including suicide. Founded in 2009 with the will to contribute to the awareness of society on the silent suffering of young people and to make an online emotional support service available to children and teenagers that allows them to avoid isolating themselves in the difficult times they can go through.
https://www.sourire2reda.org/
ABOUT MANCOSA
MANCOSA, a leading provider of management programmes through supported distance learning in Southern Africa, is ranked among the 10 of the best MBAs in Africa. A member of Honoris United Universities – the first pan-African private higher education network focused on nurturing the next generation of African leaders and professionals – Durban-based MANCOSA which has 12 learning centres offering 46 programmes serves as an innovation hub for executive education and postgraduate management programmes. A selection of Executive Education Short Learning Programmes is also offered to meet the requirements of professionals in both the private and public sectors. See:
www.mancosa.co.za For queries or additional information call 031 300 7200, email [email protected] or visit https://www.mancosa.co.za/.
ABOUT REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL
Since 1988, REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL (RBS) has been at the forefront of premium management education across the continent. Headquartered in Durban KwaZulu-Natal, RBS’s acclaimed finance and management programmes have helped individuals and organisations build and sustain competitive advantages in a rapidly changing, complex business environment. With tuition centres in all major hubs, Johannesburg, Cape Town and
Pretoria, as well as in SADC countries, Swaziland and Namibia, the institution’s alumni base of 5 000 is rapidly expanding. RBS’s leading centres for excellence –The Institute of Entrepreneurship, The Centre for Islamic Finance and Banking, The Centre for BRICS Business Schools Association, The Centre for Public Sector Management, and The School Accounting – are popular with high performers who are serious about making positive, impactful change within the global finance and management sectors. In addition, the Employment arm of RBS – iLeadLab focuses in empowering students with 4IR skills. See: www.regent.ac.za
ABOUT HONORIS UNITED UNIVERSITIES:
Honoris United Universities is the first private pan-African higher education network committed to preparing and educating the next generation of African leaders and professionals able to impact regionally in a globalized world.
Honoris United Universities gathers a community of 45,000 students on +60 campuses, learning centres and via online, in 10 countries and 32 cities across Africa. The network counts 11 institutions: multidisciplinary universities, specialized schools, technical and vocational institutes, contact and distance institutions. Students have an OPPORTUNITY to experience exclusive partnerships and exchange programs in more than 60 universities across Europe, Asia and the United States. Over 280 degrees are offered in Health Science, Engineering, IT, Business, Law, Architecture, Arts and Design, Media, Education and Political Science.
In Morocco, Honoris United Universities has three member institutions: Mundiapolis University, the Moroccan School of Engineering Sciences (EMSI) and the School of Architecture of Casablanca (EAC).
Honoris United Universities. Education for Impact. www.honoris.net Contact : Marjorie Chapas : [email protected]
Issued by:
Yogin Devan
Meropa Communications
(031) 201 0550 / 083 326 3962
On behalf of:
Honoris United Universities
South Africa