Abstract: Submission #146

Abstract Natural disasters affect the functioning of some families wherein some lose their bonds whilst some individuals within those families experience mental health issues such as stress and depression. Several studies show that families face challenges such as loss of lives, injury and mental health issues during natural disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic left many individuals within some families needing support services to enhance their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It is from this background that the researcher developed a hunch to explore the resilience strategies of families post the COVID-19 pandemic in Polokwane. The researcher adopted a qualitative approach wherein a case study design was used. Data was collected through semi structure interviews wherein convenient and Snowball sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings of the study reveals counselling, home care and support, health services and social activities as some of the resilience strategies that are used by some individuals within some families to become resilient. Conclusions and recommendations are also provided in this study.