Mental Health Issues Caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic on Individuals within Selected Families in Polokwane, South Africa

Abstract

Several studies show that during pandemics people face mental health issues that are caused by many factors such as fear of death. South Africa experienced the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic wherein mental health issues associated with the pandemic were envisaged. It is from this background that the study explored the mental health issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals within selected families in Polokwane, South Africa. The researcher adopted a qualitative approach wherein a case study design was used. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews wherein convenient and Snowball sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study show that families experienced, fear, emotional and behavioural changes. Findings also reveal that mental health issues were experienced by individuals who were in quarantine and isolation. Conclusions and recommendations are also provided in this study.