scholarly journals Anxiety levels among health care workers within Irish mental health services during COVID-19: a survey

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S247-S247
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Elimam ◽  
Mary McCarthy ◽  
Roisin Cooney ◽  
Alin Dumitrescu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Managerial Support ◽  
Anxiety Levels

AimsThe aim of this survey was to assess any fluctuations in anxiety levels experienced by mental health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the association between these changes and variables of information dissemination, risk management, and managerial support.MethodA survey was created to assess variables of information dissemination, risk management, and managerial support. The GAD-7 was employed as measure for anxiety during and pre the pandemic The survey was conducted online via an anonymised questionnaire and disseminated by management through the heads of various disciplines within the mental health work force, using the local email portal in the Cork region. It was made available for research participation for a period of one month(JULY).Following this stage, the reported data were analysed utilizing paired samples t-test, Pearson's correlations, and a hierarchical regression. Demographic variables were controlled for during analysis.Result102 mental health healthcare workers participated in the survey (81.2% Female, 18.8% Male). The mean GAD-7 total scores for Pre-COVID-19 doubled in the during COVID-19 condition. The largest effect can be seen on the GAD-7 facet of “feeling afraid as if something awful might happen” with pre-COVID-19 GAD-7 mean scores more than quadrupling during COVID-19 conditions.Managerial support had a moderate negative relationship with GAD-7 scores during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information dissemination total scores also had a moderate positive correlation with managerial support total scores and perceived risk/safety total scores. There was no correlation found between the GAD-7 total scores during COVID-19 pandemic and Information dissemination total scores nor Risk/safety total scores. Childcare was a concern for 64% of staff that it was applicable to; 45% of these staff considered altering work hours; 17% reported issues from management regarding these requests.ConclusionMental health workers have seen a dramatic increase in anxiety since the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the context of expecting something bad to happen. Managerial support appears to be a protective factor for increased anxiety levels in this population. Childcare has been a predominant concern and altering working hours to accommodate this has been problematic for almost 1 in 5 mental health workers. Staff satisfaction with information dissemination positively affects perceived managerial support and perceived risk management.This study is limited by the utilization of a novel self-created measure for examining variables specific to the COVID-19 pandemic and to the employment of a retrospective measure to obtain baseline anxiety scores of staff members before the pandemic.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Potential Mental Illness Among Brazilians in Quarantine Due To COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412097662
Author(s):  
Alberto Filgueiras ◽  
Matthew Stults-Kolehmainen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Elderly Person ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Psychological Outcome ◽  
Anxiety Levels

Background During quarantine, both physical and mental health are a concern. To the same extent that physicians are a scarce resource during this crisis, psychiatrists and psychologists are also limited in number. To help practitioners and public managers decide where to invest their resources, the present research investigated the relationships of stress, depression and state anxiety levels with sociodemographic and behavioural variables. Methods Data were collected in Brazil between March, 18 and 22, 2020 in 1,468 volunteers during quarantine. Participants with a history of or current mental health illnesses were excluded leaving 1,460 individuals in the final sample. The online assessment included instruments for psychological stress, depression and state anxiety. A sociodemographic and behavioural questionnaire with 15 items was used to assess other factors. Multiple linear regression was performed for each psychological outcome to determine a hierarchy of significant predictors. Findings Stress, depression and state anxiety levels were all predicted by gender (women higher than men), quality of nutrition, attendance in tele-psychotherapy, exercise frequency, presence of elderly persons in quarantine with the person, obligation to work outside the home, level of education (more educated, lesser risk for mental illness) and age (younger age, greater risk). Having a perceived risk factor for COVID-19 predicted depression and state anxiety, but not stress. Finally, the presence of children in quarantine with the participant was a protective factor for depression. Interpretation Even though this research is limited by its cross-sectional design, it is possible to infer that mental health varies by demographic attributes, obligations and health behaviours. Those who report higher distress must work outside the home during quarantine, live with an elderly person and carry a risk factor for COVID-19, among other factors. Identifying those who are most vulnerable would help to prioritize those who may need the greatest psychological aid and assist public health practitioners in developing support strategies.

Reducing Burnout Among Mental Health Workers

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Geurts ◽  
W. Schaufeli ◽  
J De Jonge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Workers

Fostering Resilience in Response to Terrorism Among Mental Health Workers

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen W. Saakvitne ◽  
◽  
B. Hudnall Stamm ◽  
Laura Barbanel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Workers

scholarly journals Tired, Worried and Burned Out, but Still Resilient: A Cross-Sectional Study of Mental Health Workers in the UK during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4457
Author(s):  
Sofia Pappa ◽  
Joshua Barnett ◽  
Ines Berges ◽  
Nikolaos Sakkas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

The burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems and the physical and mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) has been substantial. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the effects of COVID-19 on the psychological wellbeing of mental health workers who provide care to a vulnerable patient population that have been particularly affected during this crisis. A total of 387 HCWs from across a large urban mental health service completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic, lifestyle and work-based information and validated psychometric scales. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively; sleep problems with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS); burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI); and resilience with the Resilience Scale-14 (RS-14). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine potential mediating factors. Prevalence of burnout was notable, with 52% recording moderate/severe in Emotional Exhaustion, 19.5% moderate/severe in Depersonalisation, and 55.5% low/moderate Personal Accomplishment. Over half of all respondents (52%) experienced sleep problems; the presence of depressive symptoms was a significant predictor of insomnia. An increase in potentially harmful lifestyle changes, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and overeating was also observed. However, high Resilience was reported by 70% of the samples and the importance of this is highlighted. Female gender was associated with increased levels of depression and emotional exhaustion while those with a history of mental health conditions were most at risk of affective symptoms, insomnia, and burnout. Overall, our study revealed considerable levels of psychological distress and maladaptive coping strategies but also resilience and satisfaction with organizational support provided. Findings can inform tailored interventions in order to mitigate vulnerability and prevent long-term psychological sequelae.

scholarly journals Clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of individual mental health workers colocated within primary care practices: a systematic literature review

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e042052
Author(s):  
Jean-Baptiste Woods ◽  
Geva Greenfield ◽  
Azeem Majeed ◽  
Benedict Hayhoe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Health Worker ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Worker ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices

ObjectivesMental health disorders contribute significantly to the global burden of disease and lead to extensive strain on health systems. The integration of mental health workers into primary care has been proposed as one possible solution, but evidence of clinical and cost effectiveness of this approach is unclear. We reviewed the clinical and cost effectiveness of mental health workers colocated within primary care practices.DesignSystematic literature review.Data sourcesWe searched the Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Healthcare Management Information Consortium (HMIC) and Global Health databases.Eligibility criteriaAll quantitative studies published before July 2019 were eligible for the review; participants of any age and gender were included. Studies did not need to report a certain outcome measure or comparator in order to be eligible.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted using a standardised table; however, pooled analysis proved unfeasible. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool and the Cochrane collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials.ResultsFifteen studies from four countries were included. Mental health worker integration was associated with mental health benefits to varied populations, including minority groups and those with comorbid chronic diseases. Furthermore, the interventions were correlated with high patient satisfaction and increases in specialist mental health referrals among minority populations. However, there was insufficient evidence to suggest clinical outcomes were significantly different from usual general practitioner care.ConclusionsWhile there appear to be some benefits associated with mental health worker integration in primary care practices, we found insufficient evidence to conclude that an onsite primary care mental health worker is significantly more clinically or cost effective when compared with usual general practitioner care. There should therefore be an increased emphasis on generating new evidence from clinical trials to better understand the benefits and effectiveness of mental health workers colocated within primary care practices.

Vicarious trauma: Strategies for legal practice and law schools

2021 ◽  
pp. 1037969X2199985
Author(s):  
Kelley Burton ◽  
Amanda Paton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Vicarious Trauma ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Helping Professionals ◽  
Legal Practice ◽  
Law Schools ◽  
Individual Level

We examine the effect of vicarious trauma on various stakeholders in the legal profession. Criminal lawyers are likely to experience higher levels of vicarious trauma than other lawyers. Additionally, lawyers are at a heightened risk of vicarious trauma compared to other helping professionals such as mental health workers. We identify a range of strategies that can be implemented at an organisational or individual level to address vicarious trauma. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of vicarious trauma strategies and initiatives. Importantly, we argue that vicarious trauma initiatives should begin in first-year law courses and continue over a career.

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