Rapid response to COVID-19: addressing challenges and increasing the mental readiness of public safety personnel

Heber, Alexandra; Testa, Valerie; Smith-MacDonald, Lorraine; Brémault‐Phillips, Suzette

doi:10.24095/hpcdp.40.11/12.04

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Overall, our findings align with those of other studies. The current results are consistent with anecdotal results reported through the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment COVID-19 Resource Readiness Project [ 22 ], which suggested that the pandemic has presented Canadian PSP with various novel stressors and emotional and logistical challenges (e.g., risk of infection and self-isolation). However, the present study is the first study that we are aware of to have systematically explored the impacts of the pandemic on PSP.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…However, very few studies have been conducted on the impact of COVID-19 on PSP, who are likely to be uniquely affected (e.g., through the introduction of novel occupational stressors) [ 21 ]. Research that has been conducted suggests that PSP and frontline healthcare workers are being disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as a function of their vocational duties [ 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How Have Public Safety Personnel Seeking Digital Mental Healthcare Been Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study

McCall

Beahm

Landry

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Public safety personnel (PSP) experience unique occupational stressors and suffer from high rates of mental health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted virtually all aspects of human life around the world and has introduced additional occupational stressors for PSP. The objective of this study was to explore how PSP, especially those seeking digital mental health services, have been affected by the pandemic. Our research unit, PSPNET, provides internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy to PSP in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. When the pandemic spread to Saskatchewan, PSPNET began inquiring about the impact of the pandemic on prospective clients during the eligibility screening process. We used content analysis to analyze data from telephone screening interviews (n = 56) and descriptive statistics to analyze data from a questionnaire concerning the impacts of COVID-19 (n = 41). The results showed that most PSP reported facing several novel emotional challenges (e.g., social isolation, boredom, anger, and fear) and logistical challenges (e.g., related to childcare, finances, work, and access to mental healthcare). Most participants indicated they felt at least somewhat afraid of contracting COVID-19 but felt more afraid of their families contracting the virus than themselves. However, few participants reported severe challenges of any kind, and many (40%) indicated that they had not been significantly negatively impacted by the pandemic. Overall, the results suggest that PSP are not expressing significant concern at this time in meeting the novel challenges posed by COVID-19. Continued research will be required to monitor how diverse PSP populations and treatment outcomes are affected by the pandemic as the situation evolves.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Have Public Safety Personnel Seeking Digital Mental Healthcare Been Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study

McCall

Beahm

Landry

et al. 2020

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…10). Healthcare workers may feel betrayed by their organization when they are sent to care for COVID-19 patients without appropriate PPE ( 87 ) or when they feel unheard by leaders ( 91 ) who establish procedures and policy with which workers do not agree. Finally, actions or inactions that communicate to healthcare workers that their efforts on the frontlines are not recognized or appreciated [e.g., lack of inclusion in financial compensation; ( 100 )] may constitute betrayal-based PMIEs for some healthcare workers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, healthcare workers shared a desire for their expert perspectives to be included in decision making, for their risk of infection to be mitigated, for appropriate training to treat critically ill patients, for support in dealing with extreme work hours and distress and for practical support such as food and childcare aid should they be infected (90). This call for support was echoed in a recent review by Heber et al (91) who reported that public safety personnel (PSP) who, like healthcare workers, face novel stressors while working during the pandemic (e.g., greater risk of infection compared to civilians), may benefit from consistent support offered in the form of specialized mental health and preparedness training, frequent and transparent communication, strong leadership and team building, assistance in navigating quarantine and focus on self-care.…”

Section: Healthcare Workers and Social Support During Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthcare Workers and COVID-19-Related Moral Injury: An Interpersonally-Focused Approach Informed by PTSD

et al. 2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a still-unfolding series of novel, potentially traumatic moral and ethical challenges that place many healthcare workers at risk of developing moral injury. Moral injury is a type of psychological response that may arise when one transgresses or witnesses another transgress deeply held moral values, or when one feels that an individual or institution that has a duty to provide care has failed to do so. Despite knowledge of this widespread exposure, to date, empirical data are scarce as to how to prevent and, where necessary, treat COVID-19-related moral injury in healthcare workers. Given the relation between moral injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we point here to social and interpersonal factors as critical moderators of PTSD symptomology and consider how this knowledge may translate to interventions for COVID-19-related moral injury. Specifically, we first review alterations in social cognitive functioning observed among individuals with PTSD that may give rise to interpersonal difficulties. Drawing on Nietlisbach and Maercker's 2009 work on interpersonal factors relevant to survivors of trauma with PTSD, we then review the role of perceived social support, social acknowledgment and social exclusion in relation to potential areas of targeted intervention for COVID-19-related moral injury in healthcare workers. Finally, building on existing literature (e.g., Phoenix Australia—Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health and the Canadian Centre of Excellence—PTSD, 2020) we conclude with individual and organizational considerations to bolster against the development of moral injury in healthcare workers during the pandemic.

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“…A number of studies documented significant effects on the population's mental health, with studies reporting higher levels of depression in the general population [3]. Health care workers and first responders were often found to be at high risk for mental health issues owing to increased exposure to the virus and higher work stress during the pandemic [4][5][6][7], and they experience increased mental health symptoms [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multimodule Web-Based COVID-19 Anxiety and Stress Resilience Training (COAST): Single-Cohort Feasibility Study With First Responders

Heyen¹,

Weigl²,

Müller³

et al. 2021

JMIR Form Res

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Background Since the emergence of COVID-19, health care workers and first responders have been at a high risk for mental health symptoms owing to their exposure to the virus and increased work stress during the pandemic. Although interventions exist to address mental health issues following exposure to disasters, emergencies, and humanitarian crises, considerably less is known about web-based unguided interventions to help mitigate the negative impacts of such events. Additionally, in contexts in which emergencies reduce access to in-person care, remote forms of support are critical, yet there are limited studies on the use of such interventions. Evidence-based, easy-to-use, scalable interventions are direly needed for this population. Objective This study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of an unguided electronic mental health program, COVID-19 Anxiety and Stress Resilience Training (COAST), tailored to first responders and health care personnel, based on scientific evidence and empirically based techniques. Methods We developed COVID-19–specific training modules focusing on several domains that are previously reported as key to resilience and stress recovery: self-efficacy, mindfulness, sleep quality, and positive thinking. The program was made available to 702 first responders between May and August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic, work-, and COVID-19–related information was collected, and psychometric questionnaires were completed. We examined user acceptance and user activity, including module choice and participant feedback. Results In total, 52 of 702 (7%) first responders to whom we reached out used the program at least once. COAST use was independent of age, sex, or baseline levels of self-efficacy, mindful awareness, sleep quality, and positive thinking (for all, P>.39). First responders who had tested positive and those who had been quarantined were more likely to engage in the program. A click count analysis per module showed that participants used the self-efficacy and mindfulness modules most often, with 382 and 122 clicks, respectively, over 15 weeks. Overall, first responders expressed satisfaction with the program. Conclusions Engagement of first responders in the multimodule web-based COAST program was feasible and the first responder cohort expressed overall satisfaction with the program. Those in more difficult circumstances, including those in quarantine and those who tested positive, may be more likely to engage in such programs. Further controlled studies could pave the way for efficacy studies and the development of additional modules, including just-in-time interventions or blended interventions combining individual use of an unguided self-help intervention, such as COAST, with subsequent individual psychotherapy for those who continue to experience stress and psychological symptoms.

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Rapid response to COVID-19: addressing challenges and increasing the mental readiness of public safety personnel

Cited by 17 publications

References 28 publications

How Have Public Safety Personnel Seeking Digital Mental Healthcare Been Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study

How Have Public Safety Personnel Seeking Digital Mental Healthcare Been Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study

Healthcare Workers and COVID-19-Related Moral Injury: An Interpersonally-Focused Approach Informed by PTSD

Multimodule Web-Based COVID-19 Anxiety and Stress Resilience Training (COAST): Single-Cohort Feasibility Study With First Responders

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