The challenges of mental health of staff working with people with intellectual disabilities during COVID-19––A systematic review

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a great risk to the mental health of health workers (HWs). There are likely to be particular concerns for staff working with adults with an intellectual disability, where infection control may be more challenging. Method We conducted a systematic review of original research examining the mental health of HWs working with people with intellectual disability, published between March 2020 and July 2021. Results Five original research studies were included. A high proportion of HWs working with people with intellectual disability reported having had poor mental health including stress, anxiety, and depression. This manifested in similar patterns as for other HWs and also some specific patterns seen as the need to manage increased rates of mental health issues of the people they support. Sources of support and resilience were also identified. Conclusion The support system should target risk factors, answer unmet needs, and build resilience. More research is also required on the ongoing and long-term effects.

A New Screening Tool for Rapid Diagnosis of Functional and Environmental Factors Influencing Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

“…This situation caused a further effect: unexperienced DSPs were left alone with no professional supervision at the group homes where the M/M ID lived. This phenomenon was also reported by authors from different countries [ 15 , 31 , 49 , 53 ].…”

Bridging the gap: national virtual education programme for professionals caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the time of COVID-19

“…One of the participants commented on the impact of the ECHO-AIDD CoP and summed it up as ‘Many hands make light work’, reflecting on the collective teaching and learning created through the ECHO and encapsulating the CoP spirit. Given the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of service providers and feelings of loneliness, 19,36 participants reflected on how the ECHO-AIDD CoP helped reduce professional isolation. The sessions on wellness and wellness strategies offered service providers a greater understanding of their own self-care, which had an impact beyond the ECHO-AIDD programme.…”

“…17,18 Service providers working with adults with IDD reported high levels of stress in their workplace during the pandemic. 18,19 Tele-education played an important role in supporting the mental health needs of service providers during the pandemic. 14,20,21 Thakur et al 14 reported on the design and delivery of a provincial virtual education programme, 'ECHO Ontario adult intellectual and developmental disabilities: mental health in the time of COVID-19', using this model to support service providers caring for adults with IDD.…”