COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for every single
person on this Earth. It dramatically changed lives and many people suffered
mentally due to it. The doctors were the frontline soldiers who had to fight it
out with the viruses and patient’s illnesses due to it. Hospitals were full and
intensive care units were overflowing. The patients, their families, and
survivors, as well as the masses, had a lot of mental issues which rose during
the pandemic. Mental health facilities were working full capacity to cope with
these mental issues. They were there to help people cope with mental
illnesses. But the burning question is who was taking care of these mental
health professionals?
The COVID-19 pandemic and mental
health problems
COVID-19 was a new virus and even doctors and scientists did
not have full and in-depth knowledge about it. Yet they were forced to treat
patients with their limited resources available against it. Preventive measures
were in place but therapy was not magical and a cure was far away. Anti-COVID
vaccines were also not available initially. All doctors had to continue with
patient care amidst their own confusion about the disease and fear about
contracting it themselves. But overall, worldwide these doctors did a good job.
 |
| Mental health workers had their own problems during covid-19 pandemic [Source: ESAIC] |
Mental issues also erupted with the pandemic and mental
health professionals were overburdened with more cases. They had to deal with
them all and help them cope with the new problems. These professionals had
their own families at home about whom they were also worried. In between, in
the USA there were racial protests and drives and of course who can forget the
Presidential elections that hogged most of the limelight. Despite all odds and
minimal resources, the mental health professionals continued to see patients and
treat them.
Mental health professionals and
counselors and their challenges
These professionals suffered a lot themselves during the
pandemic. Michael Mandel, a licensed
clinical professional counselor said:
"This has without a doubt been the
toughest year of my life, let alone my career,"
Most of them had
symptoms of mental exhaustion and fatigue and burnout themselves. And some of
they also had to seek professional help for themselves to assist them to cope with
the pandemic and rising mental health patients. They had their own sufferings
in the background as they took care of patients with anxiety, depression, and
family member losses. Besides, there were rising cases of divorce and domestic
violence and also substance abuse. |
| Challenges of a mental health professional [Source: BMC] |
Many of them went
into teleconferencing to help their patients that has its limitations. Personal
connection with their patients is always better but due to the pandemic, this
was changed. Those who continued to work in hospital setups found it difficult
to enforce safety precautions such as with psychotic patients and face risks.
Besides, the pandemic has been ongoing for more than a year with no signs of
regression. There seems to be no end on the horizon and people and doctors are
overwhelmed.
More
about what the mental health professionals felt!!!
The professionals
also went through guilt when they had to turn down patients due to their long
patient lists. Also, they were saddened when they could not answer many of the
questions related to COVID-19 that their patients posed to them. Janel Cubbage,
a member of the American Association of Suicidology and a private
psychotherapist said:
"In grad school, they don't teach you
how to provide therapy and help during a pandemic,"
"This is unprecedented and at times I
feel really helpless. I feel like I don't know what to do other than be present
with my client and validate what they're experiencing."
The therapists
themselves had similar fears and frustrations as their clients and did not know
what to tell their patients. Also due to the pandemic, many of the therapies
that doctors tell their patients was unavailable such as socializing, going to
a movie with a friend, etc. Patients are also presenting in more acute forms
and doctors are under intense stress for a prolonged time. This had long-term
consequences.
 |
| Fatigued halthcare worker [Source: Nursing Times] |
Also, read
Voices and sexiness and attractiveness!
Organizational
support, compensatory day-offs, better pay, respect when they say they are overwhelmed and
cannot take any more cases are some points that mental health professionals
expect so that they can continue to work and more people can enter and stay in
the profession. They also request insurance coverage for telehealth
services. Psychologist Riley Benko says:
"We're challenged, we're stretched
thin, we're finding higher acuity in stress levels in our patients but it's
what we're here for. People should still reach out."
Comments
Post a Comment