July is Mental Illness Awareness Month with each week of July being dedicated to focus on specific mental illnesses: As the month’s activities draw to a close, the final focus week highlights Social Phobia from 24–30 July.
Social phobia, also referred to as social anxiety disorder, is a common mental health condition. It is a type of anxiety disorder. Those affected by it experience fear and anxiety in specific or all social situations, due to a fear of being judged or humiliated. Sufferers can experience intense and persistent fear and anxiety in specific or all social situations, as well as sometimes everyday tasks like eating or drinking in front of others. The anxiety is caused by a fear of being judged or humiliated by others.
Social Phobia affects between two and three people per hundred, of all races and social groups. The average age of onset is between 15 and 20 years, but the condition can also begin during childhood. Approximately 40% of social phobias occur prior to the age of ten years. Therefore, it is one of the prevalent mental health conditions in children.
Shyness and social anxiety are often categorized as the same, but this is not true. Shyness is being cautious during social gatherings, not being the butterfly but the wallflower. It is basically how uncomfortable you are around others. In contrast, social phobia is being frightened by any form of interaction and group participation.
Avoidance of social situations by those with social phobia makes daily interactions extremely difficult and can impede academic performance, but early identification and support by trained Mental Health Professionals makes this manageable Treatment may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is a frequently used therapeutic intervention, that can help to learn and practice social skills; face-to-face support groups; prescribed medication such as anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication and Beta-blockers; or a combination of treatment methods.
The month of October has been declared Mental Health Awareness Month with the objective of not only educating the public about mental health, but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination of those living with mental illness are often subjected to. Contributing factors, such as unemployment, poverty, grief, and substance abuse are common, affecting individuals, their families, the school environment and the broader community. South African learners and teachers alike are exposed to various situations that can take a toll on their psychosocial wellbeing, but through various interventions, they can be assisted.
The DBE has developed The Guide for LSAs and Schools on providing Psychosocial Support to Learners and the Solution Focused Basic Counselling Skills Manual to provide guidance to School-Based Support Teams (SBSTs) on how they can provide first line basic counselling support to learners requiring psychosocial services and referrals where applicable.
Visit www.sadag.org for additional information.