COU206: The world Economy was badly Affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic that Happened in 2020: Group Facilitation and Group Counselling Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Question 1
The world economy was badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic that happened in 2020. Singapore is no different in facing the tumultuous disease outbreak that came unexpectedly at a rapid rate. Many industries were hit hard. Small and medium enterprises that could not react in time had to fold up, or retrench staff to stay afloat. All tourism and aviation-related industries were severely impacted. Especially for workers from the airline industries, they were either forced to be grounded or received a drastic pay cut as flight allowances were significantly impacted by the world’s lockdown.

Airline pilots, crew members and operation staff were struggling to make ends meet as their salaries were shaved to help the company survive through the pandemic. Many of these staff had to readjust their lifestyles and expenditures as they no longer could survive on the pay they used to draw. The union could not help much in terms of financial assistance as this is a worldwide phenomenon, and there is no certainty of the duration that the lockdown situation is going to last. Many of the crew members are young adults, who have just committed to family plans before the pandemic struck, and are now struggling to make ends meet.

They have no option but to turn towards looking at other job opportunities while waiting for the industry to revive. Many of them had to resort to doing part-time work that was drastically different from their professions.
It was made known to the company that some crew members had turned to work as food and other online merchandise delivery jobs in order to make extra income. Some also went back to teaching online courses like yoga or doing part-time online sales. As the ground period prolonged, the company is concerned about the well-being of the staff.

The company hopes that while they are unable to provide jobs for the staff at the moment, they would like to ensure the well-being of the staff is taken care of. As such, the psychiatric department of the airline has come up with a series of programs for the staff during the pandemic period. They can sign up for free. It is purely conducted online to ensure safety measures are adhered to. You are the trauma cum crisis specialist counselor in this airline’s psychiatric department.

Your task is to conduct a group program for the long-haul crew team. Fifteen staff were recruited to start a program. It is to commence in 1 month’s time. The 15 staff consists of pilots, air stewards, and stewardesses, as well as ground operation staff.

(a) The group program has started. You did your best to break the ice and get every member to open up and talk. You could see the reluctance in the members in open sharing. Many expressed that they doubted the value of coming to a group.

They overtly told you that they would be better off taking the time to find some part-time work rather than spending time attending the group sessions. You knew you have to do something quick, or else the group will not be able to progress to the next stage. Describe Yalom’s therapeutic factors that you can employ at this stage to make the members bond. Identify FOUR (4) therapeutic factors and exemplify how they can be applied here.

(b) The group has gradually opened up and progressed into the transition stage. Members began to share about their anxiety in facing the current situation. Staff who were at the lower level and the newly-joined voiced their unhappiness as they were the most affected group financially. Some of them began to express their distaste towards the three pilots who draw much higher pay, and are still living a fairly good lifestyle as compared to them.

They expressed sarcasm and made unkind comments when the three pilots spoke, accusing them for not empathizing with their plights since they are very well-to-do despite the crisis. You are concerned that if this goes on, it might turn into a personal attack for the three pilots, and you do not wish for that to happen. Given the above situation, illustrate how you can apply the here and now techniques in helping the cohort resolve this issue and move forward as one group. In your answer, demonstrate how the here and now techniques are being executed.

(c) The program ended after several weeks of the meeting. It has its challenges and good moments. In the end, the objectives have to be met, and it is time for you to report the program outcome. The head of the psychiatric department wanted the report to be submitted in 2 weeks’ time. Before that, it is necessary to see your supervisor for a post-program debrief session.

Your supervisor, while supportive in processing the group progress with you, asked an important question on how you would evaluate the program for its success. You did your reflections. In your own words, provide an objective appraisal of how your program went and whether it has met its objectives. You do not need to write in a report format.