The term of the current SASOP Board of Directors (2021 – 2023) will be coming to an end in November 2023. The Board consists of the following members: President; Past President; President Elect (Vice President); Honorary Secretary; Honorary Treasurer; the Convenor of the SASOP Public Sector Group; and the Convenor of the SASOP Private Sector Group. According to the MOI, all Directors shall be elected, after being nominated in writing and accepting the nomination in writing, during the next Biennial General Meeting. The next Annual General Meeting of SASOP, will be held during the SASOP Congress from 19 – 23 November 2023 in Cape Town.

The first delivery of COVISHIELD vaccines has arrived and will be delivered to sites for vaccination by the end of next week.
 
The process to develop a HCW database in the private and public sectors has been in progress for the past three weeks.

THIRD EDITION

2017

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Issued by the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP)
Compiled by members of a task team appointed by SASOP: Dr G Grobler, Prof C Grobler, Dr FA Korb, Dr G Lippi, Dr S Zilesnick, Dr E Allers.

The “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus type 2” (SARS-CoV-2) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus, which belongs to a “new evolutionary branch of coronavirus” that includes SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) 1. This novel virus bears responsibility for the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychiatrists may find themselves on the frontline as they attend to psychiatric patients with COVID-19 or COVID-19 patients who developed psychiatric symptoms. Like all healthcare workers, they will often be filled with trepidation as they dutifully attend to these patients. 

The coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown that has resulted has challenged the mental health of many South Africans.

In this updated programme the President of the South African Society of Psychiatrists Professor Bonginkosi Chiliza discusses:

• The extent of the problem

• Strategies for managing patients with mental health issues during the lockdown

• The critical importance of protecting the mental health of healthcare professionals

The coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown that has resulted has challenged the mental health of many South Africans.

In this updated programme the President of the South African Society of Psychiatrists Professor Bonginkosi Chiliza discusses:

• The extent of the problem

• Strategies for managing patients with mental health issues during the lockdown

• The critical importance of protecting the mental health of healthcare professionals

Dr Anusha Lachman, child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Stellenbosch:

• Analyses the consequences of the pandemic on young people’s mental health

• 
  Offers advice for healthcare professionals counselling parents and patients

• 
  Suggest specific guidance about care of young patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

• Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

About 30% South African mothers experience anxiety and depression during pregnancy
and following the birth.
 
The added fear caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the consequent social distancing
are significantly exacerbating the problem.
 

This updated programme provides:
Insights into the clinical care during pregnancy and post-natal visits
Guidance on the identification of at-risk mothers
Practical advice on management and referral for specialist support