District 5 Counselling Support:
Week 2: "Do the BEST you can in every moment"
To all staff from AGSS, MSS, CMMSS and GRSS as well as our INFANT and PRIMARY schools, we bid you a gracious welcome and a congratulatory successful completion of Week 2.
Whatever challenges you encountered you were able to manage and adjust to the perplexities of our new learning environment.
This week the District 5 School Counselling team wishes to not only encourage but inspire you to continue the good work which you have started. Remember to be patient not just with others but with yourself as well. You too are human.
In order to help you cope with the growing implications of this pandemic, we have collaborated with Ms. R. Charlery - a Retired Banker to provide you with some practical ways by which you can make simple financial changes to improve your quality of life.
Financial Tips During COVID-19 Crisis
Those receiving Partial Salary and have little or no savings
- If you have loans, reach out to your financial institutions early to find out what reprieve, if any, you can qualify for. Bear in mind these may come at a cost to be paid in the future. However, it will cost much more if you simply stop paying your loans.
- Examine your past spending habits and see what you can cut out. Whatever remains must be essential expenses. This may entail some major sacrifices and will differ for each household.
- Prepare a budget for these essential expenses making sure you do not exceed the income you are now receiving.
- Within your essential expenses buy only what you absolutely need. In the case of food you may need to change to cheaper brands which still provide the nutrition your family needs.
- Bring your children on board with the adjustments you now have to make. Do not try to protect them by keeping this to yourself, as they will sense you are stressed and cause them to worry, plus you will most likely be snapping at them with every turn. Also, trying to make ends meet while their demands remain unchanged, will only increase your stress. Therefore, have a family meeting and let them know the amount you have to spend has reduced significantly and what they are used to is no longer affordable. However, reassure them that you will do your best to provide what is essential. Involve them by asking what they think they can cut out so they feel part of a very important process.
Those receiving partial salary and have savings:
- For those who have been saving for rainy days, this is a rainy day. The good news is that you are most likely among the few lucky ones for having made that sacrifice, and with discipline you will be able to meet your essential needs with reduced stress.
- Still, you should make adjustments to your spending. While you have a little more income at your disposal, the duration of this crisis is unknown and it is possible that it may become necessary to make further adjustments to salaries. Therefore, practice the above unless you have emergencies and must resort to your savings.
Reference
Hylton, K. (2020). Reach Out: Joining Hearts and Minds Coping with Covid-19 Stress [PowerPoint Slides].
Thank you for viewing and reading!
- Look forward to a newsletter from District 5 every week.
- Check our Facebook Page 'District Five Psychosocial Support'.
- Please contact YOUR School Counsellor to schedule an appointment by telephone or through email if needed.
We are here for you.