What should be done to support the mental health of healthcare staff treating COVID-19 patients?

Br J Psychiatry. 2020 Oct;217(4):537-539. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2020.109.

Abstract

There is an urgent need to provide evidence-based well-being and mental health support for front-line clinical staff managing the COVID-19 pandemic who are at risk of moral injury and mental illness. We describe the evidence base for a tiered model of care, and practical steps on its implementation.

Keywords: COVID-19; moral injury; post-traumatic stress disorder; well-being.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections* / psychology
  • Coronavirus Infections* / therapy
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Mental Health / standards*
  • Mental Health Services / organization & administration
  • Mental Health Services / standards
  • Occupational Health / standards
  • Occupational Stress* / etiology
  • Occupational Stress* / prevention & control
  • Occupational Stress* / psychology
  • Occupational Stress* / therapy
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / psychology
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / therapy
  • Preventive Psychiatry / methods*
  • Psychosocial Support Systems*
  • Quality Improvement
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / etiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / prevention & control
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / therapy
  • Suicide / psychology
  • Suicide Prevention