mental health

BVTA equips informal traders with mental health and self care sessions

Last week Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) partnered with African Institute for ending Violence, Bullying and Suicide (Afribs) in educating and counselling informal traders virtually, on mental health issues, after Afribs received reports on mental health disorder cases during the national lockdown. The COVID-19 induced national lockdown left many informal traders jobless as they failed to restock wares, access capital, pay school fees and fend for their families. Some informal traders were relocated from the CBD in trying to decongest the city. They were promised spaces in their locations, however, due to resources this have not been fulfilled and this caused anxiety and depression to informal traders as they lost businesses, customers and are now selling at home. “Eversince the lockdown started, i am always stressed thinking of how i am going to bring food onto the table for my family,” said Getrude Mugasa, an informal trader. “I haven’t been able to restock wares properly as borders were closed, i rely on truck drivers who charge exorbitant fees and sometimes lose our goods,” said Preety Mpofu. Studies have revealed that the COVID-19 effects have had a mental effect on most of the informal traders. Afribs encouraged informal traders to practice the following, exercising, seeking counselling, eating healthy and finding other innovative strategies to keep their businesses abreast in order to prevent stress, anxiety and depression. The most common symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety are lack of sleep or sleeping too much, eating too much, loss of appetite, anger, panic and quietness amongst others. Informal traders were also encouraged to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

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