Latest news with #COPE
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Beyond stress: Understanding and preventing burnout before It breaks you
Burnout is not just a buzzword, it is a silent epidemic that is eroding wellbeing, productivity and quality of life among the workforce, and high achievers appear to be especially at risk. A clinical psychologist and occupational therapist of Netcare Akeso Umhlanga's Centre of Psychotherapy Excellence (COPE) team unpacks the troubling consequences of unmanaged chronic work stress, emphasising that prevention is always better than rebuilding after crises. 'Burnout is a state of exhaustion – physically, emotionally and mentally – caused by excessive and continued stress. The three main characteristics of burnout are exhaustion, cynicism – which is a negative or detached attitude – and decreased motivation and productivity over a sustained period,' explains Claudia van Blerk, Netcare Akeso Umhlanga COPE Manager and occupational therapist. The World Health Organisation recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon, rather than a medical diagnosis. The Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2025 Report noted a six point decrease in South African employee engagement levels, with less than a quarter (23%) of respondents feeling engaged at work, and more than a third (36%) reporting daily stress, both key components observed in people suffering from burnout. Very often, people on the verge of burnout may notice that the same tasks take much longer to complete than before, and even putting in additional working hours often does not translate into achieving what was previously manageable within working hours. Burnout symptoms may include: • Fatigue • Decreased effectiveness in daily tasks • Frequent physical illnesses or injuries • Negative thoughts • Low mood • Lack of motivation 'Burnout may trigger or worsen mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Also, burnout that is prolonged or not addressed can very quickly lead to exacerbation of anxiety and depressive-related symptoms,' adds clinical psychologist Vashnie Sithambaram. 'These may include, but are not limited to, depressed mood, low motivation, isolation, negative thoughts, constantly feeling on edge or worrying, easily triggered by situations in the environment, as well as psychosomatic symptoms, such as body aches or flu-like symptoms.' She explains that psychosomatic symptoms refer to physical symptoms that are induced by emotional distress, further compromising a person's ability to meet the demands of their daily life. 'If we look at burnout from a systemic point of view, it has a ripple effect. No person exists in isolation, and eventually, the burnout symptoms can cause a person to become disconnected from those around them. Often, this can lead to interpersonal challenges and even conflicts, further exacerbating the situation.' How long does it take to recover from burnout? 'There is no defined recovery period for burnout, as this is unique to the individual and may depend on various factors,' Sithambaram says. These factors may be determined by asking the following questions: • How long have the burnout symptoms been present? • Does the person consistently find themselves in situations that require them to work under stress? • Is the person seeking therapeutic assistance? Some therapies can be short-term, and others may require long-term work to address underlying issues that could increase a person's vulnerability to developing burnout in the future. Van Blerk adds that once the point of burnout has been reached, it can be difficult to manage or recover without external intervention. 'In-patient treatment may be recommended, as the multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists and occupational therapists, can help address the underlying concerns holistically. 'Both group and individual sessions are beneficial for people recovering from burnout, although initially it may seem daunting to engage. We find that encouraging participation as much as possible is essential to getting the best out of admission for burnout and the resources available,' she says. 'Some typical therapy goals that we work towards in recovery from burnout include developing coping skills, identifying triggers, helping to change negative thought patterns and treating mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression and others that can either contribute to burnout or be exacerbated by chronic stress,' she says. 'Once a person has been discharged from in-hospital care, it is vital to continue care on an individual outpatient basis after discharge. Family sessions could also help address underlying triggers or issues that have developed due to the burnout symptoms,' Van Blerk says. Sithambaram urges working people to consider their work-life balance as a wellbeing priority to prevent burnout from developing. Psychologist's tips for protecting against burnout • Surround yourself with a strong support system, both at work and among your friends and family. • Don't skip self-care activities: Take time to rest, enjoy activities that bring out your creative side, exercise, spend quality time with family, and set aside solo time for hobbies and journaling. • Take care of your physical health and wellbeing, as this directly impacts your mental health and ability to cope with the demands of everyday life. • Time management: Prioritise what is important and tackle the difficult tasks first to avoid procrastination and reduce the constant worry about work not completed • Seek professional support if needed. Netcare Akeso's crisis helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0861 435 787. Call to speak with an experienced counsellor and explore options for assistance. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is also available to assist on 0800 205 026 or 011 234 4837.
New York Post
12-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
UFT backing Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor has members crying foul
Furious city teachers are threatening to pull their cash from the United Federation of Teachers' political activities fund after union leaders blindsided them and endorsed socialist Zohran Mamdani, The Post has learned. UFT President Mike Mulgrew and his top allies infuriated rank-and-file members Tuesday by pushing through a resolution to back Mamdani for mayor — approved by 63% of more than 1,000 delegates — with the vast majority of teachers on summer recess and caught off guard. A day after the endorsement, 90 educators vented their anger during a Zoom meeting held by the United Jewish Teachers and NYC Public Schools Alliance, groups battling antisemitism in city schools. 3 Mulgrew dismissed other candidates for mayor during a delegate meeting Tuesday at which the UFT endorsed Zohran Mamdani. Getty Images 'Mamdani's record includes deeply troubling associations with antisemitic and anti-American views,' said Karen Feldman, a middle-school teacher and co-founder of NYCPS Alliance. 'This goes beyond politics — it's about the safety of Jewish staff, the increasing ideological tensions in schools, and the breakdown of faith in a union meant to support, not divide.' Ramming through the Mamdani endorsement, Mulgrew never gave other candidates a real chance, sources at the meeting said. He dismissed incumbent Mayor Adams and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both Democrats running as independents, as 'beholden to very rich powerful people,' and ripped Republican Curtis Sliwa for proposing to extend the school year. UFT members can donate as much as they want to union's political action arm, the Committee on Political Education or COPE, but the more than 100,000 who contribute typically give $5 per biweekly paycheck. Some union delegates and school chapter leaders told The Post they're getting peppered with questions from co-workers on how to drop payments to the COPE, and whether it's worth pulling $1,700 a year in union dues, too. 'Why should I pay dues to a union endorsing a guy who is a socialist and whose beliefs I vehemently oppose?' said a Bronx-based school chapter leader and delegate. 3 Teacher Karen Feldman said Mamdani's views have 'deeply troubling associations with antisemitic and anti-American views.' Gregory P. Mango The Jewish teacher group's Power Point presentation at the Zoom meeting cited Mamdani's 'anti-Zionist stance' and criticisms of Israel, which they said could influence curriculum choices and classroom discussions, 'potentially leading to a one-sided or politicized view of complex global conflicts.' The slides also warned of Mamdani's interest in making ex-'Squad' Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a fellow socialist and former Bronx middle school principal, the city's next schools chancellor. 'Stop all COPE payments today!' the group urged, spelling out how to do so. 'We urge all members to pull out of COPE to send a clear message to UFT leadership that our hard-earned money will not be used to support divisive candidates,' said Moshe Spern, president of United Jewish Teachers, a group of more than 250 educators. The group leaders said they didn't recommend members leave the union 'right now,' but Spern predicted an exodus in coming weeks. 'I get why so many are pulling their COPE contributions,' said teacher Daniel Alicea, a member of a rival UFT caucus that tried to boot Mulgrew from his $321,482-a-year post in the union's May election. 3 At a meeting, teachers angry at the UFT's endorsement of Mamdani were urged to stope their donations to the union's political arm. Obtained by the New York Post 'Political contributions are protected free speech, so you are free to express it with your wallet. So many see that their union is acting as an entrenched political patronage partisan machine that doesn't bother to give members a voice in the process.' The UFT — with nearly 200,000 members, including retirees — reports collecting 'dues and agency fees' totaling nearly $174.5 million for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2023, according to its most recent federal financial filings. It spent $4.5 million on 'political activities and lobbying' and another $4.3 million on 'contributions, gifts and grants.' The union's decision to back Mamdani comes after it declined to endorse a mayoral candidate in the June 24 Democratic primary, saying members were torn among Mamdani, Cuomo and former Comptroller Scott Stringer. The UFT would not address the potential loss of COPE payments or member dues, and brushed off criticism that Mulgrew had orchestrated and railroaded the vote for Mamdani. 'Endorsements are the result of a lengthy union review process with the final decision being made by the union's Delegate Assembly, which is made up of UFT members elected from every New York City public school,' spokesperson Alison Gendar said.
New York Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
The UFT's Mamdani endorsement: Letters to the Editor — July 10, 2025
The Issue: The city's United Federation of Teachers endorses Zohran Mamdani for mayor. In choosing Zohran Mamdani, the UFT has shown it accepts the whole package of what he stands for — including Jew hatred and government seizure of private property ('Lefty UFT endorses radical Mamdani,' July 9). If anything, this action calls for school choice: To give parents the option of placing their children in schools that actually teach the basics, rather than political indoctrination. Bill Isler Floral Park In the past, any communist or fascist would have to seize power by force of arms. In today's New York City, it turns out all a communist has to do is offer the United Federation of Teachers a raise. Christopher O'Keefe Manhattan I am ashamed of my union for doing this. This endorsement came from a meeting of the union's Delegate Assembly, apparently made up of leftist, antisemitic communists. How could the UFT endorse a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions advocate who refuses to acknowledge Holocaust Remembrance and is rumored to make Jamaal Bowman, an anti-Israel poor imitation of a human being, the next chancellor of New York City schools? To protest this outrage, I am asking my fellow UFT colleagues to withdraw from giving to COPE, a financial political action group of the UFT. Ed Greenspan Brooklyn Mass insanity at New York City's teachers union overcomes intelligence. The UFT is blind to Mamdani's threat to our fragile democracy. Thomas Birnbaum Manhattan I was taken aback when I read in The Post that the United Federation of Teachers voted to endorse antisemite Mamdani for New York City mayor. How support of Mamdani helps the city's public schools is lost on me, or any thinking person for that matter. However, on reflection, I remembered that this was the teachers union that denounced the attempts by parents to control what was taught to their children. This rabble organization of teachers cares not for the betterment of students, but only for paychecks and pensions. Frank Olivieri Ft. Myers, Fla. So, the UFT has endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor. As teachers, how stupid can they possibly be for backing a snake-oil salesman? I'll bet a boatload of chalk that these teachers will tell their students to tell their parents to vote for Mamdani. The election is less than four months away; there's still time to pack up and leave New York for good. Harve Kaye Brooklyn The Issue: Elon Musk's threat to launch a third national party amid his disapproval of President Trump. In theory, the new political party proposed by Elon Musk as a third alternative could be a great divider with just a few wins in the House and Senate ('Get Real, Elon,' Glenn Harlan Reynolds, July 8). The problem, however, is that the basis of this party seems to be both spite and an attempt to gain power over President Trump. A rival party is not a positive idea, and thus it might be better for Musk to step away and spend his time and money on solving one of the world's many problems. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia It appears Elon Musk wants to create a new national political party as revenge due to President Trump and the Republican Party no longer being his puppets and passing the One Big Beautiful Bill. Musk should go back to the country where he was born — which is not the United States — to create his new political party. Cecelia Clark St. Petersburg, Fla. Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Council greenlights towers up to 45 storeys for East Vancouver neighbourhood
Renfrew SkyTrain Station and the surrounding business park are seen on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (CTV News) Vancouver city council voted unanimously in favour of a plan that will bring drastic change to an east side neighbourhood currently comprised of mostly single family homes. The Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan calls for towers up to 45-storeys in some areas and more gentle density, including low-rise apartments and townhomes, throughout the community. 'It will finally allow us to build thousands of new housing units close to rapid transit. Many of those will be rental units, but also some ownership options and different community amenities, shops and services,' said ABC Coun. Peter Meizner. The areas immediately adjacent to Renfrew and Rupert SkyTrain stations currently provide a mix of commercial and industrial uses. The area plan calls for those employment areas to remain, with more dense residential zoning farther away from the stations. Only seven people signed up to speak at the hearing Tuesday, and most of them said they generally supported the plan. Two speakers said the area was too large for one community plan and they would prefer to see council move ahead in phases with different approaches for different parts of the community. The area encompassed by the plan stretches from Kamloops Street in the west to Boundary Road in the east, and from Parker Street in the north to East 27th Avenue in the south. Before voting in favour, rookie COPE Coun. Sean Orr asked city staff whether the plan will allow for a mix of housing for low-income households. 'Twenty-seven percent of the population makes less than $50,000 a year and that's my biggest concern,' Orr told CTV News. 'That's why voters elected me, to make sure these people aren't left behind.' According to city staff, protections are in place for renters who may be forced out by new developments and the plan includes social housing and co-ops. It is considered a long-term plan and will take decades to fully transform the area.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid dealt fresh injury blow
La Liga giants Real Madrid have late this week been dealt a fresh blow on the personnel front. This comes amid confirmation that defensive star David Alaba has suffered a setback in his ongoing efforts to recover from injury. Advertisement Stopper Alaba has for his part been sidelined since back in April, after his long-awaited return from an ACL injury was followed first by an adductor problem, and then a meniscus issue in his left knee. The Austrian had spent recent weeks closing on a return to the pitch, with a view to making himself available for pre-season training. As alluded to above, however, this weekend, such hopes on Alaba's part have been dashed. This comes amid confirmation on the part of the reliable Arancha Rodríguez of COPE that the former Bayern Munich man has picked up yet another injury: 'Alaba will be sidelined for another month due to a muscle injury in the soleus of the left leg.' Conor Laird – GSFN
