Mar 20, 20202 min
Updated: Mar 24, 2023
Healthcare workers and first responders experience unique challenges during episodes of disease outbreak and pandemic. Long shifts, infrequent breaks, societal pressure, new policies and procedures, decreased socialization, and fear of becoming ill, can all have an impact on one's ability to cope. These challenges can increase stress and anxiety if employees and leaders are not mindful of their mental health and well-being.
This resource outlines the challenges facing healthcare personnel during infectious disease outbreaks and strategies for sustaining healthcare personnel well-being.
Source: Uniformed Services University Centre for the Study of Traumatic Stress
This document by the BC Centre for Disease Control outlines the components of psychosocial support responses and psychosocial interventions that enhance Healthcare workers’ coping and personal resiliency.
http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Professionals-Site/Documents/COVID19-Psychosocial-Supports-HCW.pdf
Source: BC Centre for Disease Control
In this resource, the World Health Organization outlines the mental health considerations for various groups, including the general population, healthcare workers, team leaders in health facilities, caretakers of children, caretakers for older adults, and people in isolation.
Source: World Health Organization
This document outlines strategies for assisting healthcare workers in fighting stress through preparedness, identification of specific areas of stress for healthcare workers treating patients with the COVID-19 virus, and identification of self-care strategies for dealing with stress both during and after the outbreak.
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/covid/COVID19ManagingStressHCW032020.pdf
Source: National Center for PTSD
This resource by the World Health Organization provides guidance around the rights, roles, and responsibilities of healthcare facilities, leaders, and workers to protect occupational health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: World Health Organization
This resource by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention outlines tips to assist emergency responders in taking care of themselves, including preparing for a response, understanding and identifying burnout and secondary traumatic stress, getting support from team members, self-care strategies, and resources for family members and co-workers.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
This tip sheet outlines tips for preventing and managing stress before, during and after disaster response assignments.
https://store.samhsa.gov/file/23097/download?token=g6Up4IgI&filename=SMA14-4873.pdf&sku=SMA14-4873
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services – US Department of Human and Health Services
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