Frontline medical staff is experiencing trauma similar to wartime, with increased rates of PTSD expected. “People are seeing things on the job that they haven’t seen in their lifetimes,' said the chief medical officer of Talkspace, a therapy app.
The fight against COVID-19 is often compared to a war effort, and with good reason. In addition to the rapid mobilization and widespread sacrifice required, the mental health effects of the pandemic are already proving similar to challenges faced in wartime.
— Dr. Eric Wei, NYCHHC Chief Quality Officer and emergency medicine physician Given safety regulations that require COVID-19 patients to remain isolated, medical staff are also often the only people interacting with severely ill or dying patients, creating an extra layer of potential emotional distress.
“We’re looking at what’s happening around the country, and there are hotlines being set up in various jurisdictions, support groups being set up and facilitated virtually, and a couple of different groups that have done more focused types of interventions,” said Dr. Lynn Bufka, senior director of practice research and policy at the American Psychological Association.
Facilitating support among peers In addition to more focused professional help, some programs are looking to create networks of connection among frontline workers who have been through similar experiences and can provide some much needed empathy and identification. Preparing for longer-term treatment Addressing the mental health effects of the pandemic is currently a balancing act, as providers rush to triage immediate issues while also laying the groundwork for treatment of longer-lasting trauma.“I’ve been telling frontline staff that while they might not want to utilize [treatment] right now, I don’t want them to think that when this is over we’re rolling up the sidewalks and moving on,” Filangieri said.
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