Psychosocial Effects of Covid-19 on Mental Health: A Case of Hillside Residents, Harare

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the psychosocial effects of COVID-19 on mental health of residents in Hillside in Harare. The specific objectives were finding out about the psychosocial effects of COVID-19 on Hillside residents, determining the awareness level of the psychosocial effects of COVID-19 on mental health amongst Hillside residents, finding out mechanisms employed by Hillside residents to cope with the psychosocial effects on mental health arising from COVID-19 and soliciting solutions on how best the COVID-19 mental health challenges can be alleviated. The research adopted a survey research strategy focusing on Hillside residents and data was collected using self-administered questionnaires from 102 respondents in Hillside in Harare. The data was then analyzed using percentages and findings from the research indicated that job insecurity, financial loss, stigmatization, infobesity and alienation due to social distancing were the main psychosocial effects of COVID-19 on Hillside residents. The research thus recommended that government should extend social support to vulnerable groups and increase awareness about psychosocial effects of COVID-19 on mental health and appropriate coping mechanisms. Similarly, individuals were urged to seek information about COVID-19 from reputable sources and adopt positive coping mechanisms to fight against mental health effects of the pandemic.