Frontline health care providers begin virtual training for psychosocial support in pandemic response

A number of local frontline health care providers are to take part in a virtual training focused on mental health and psychosocial support.

The training is being facilitated through a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

During the virtual launch of the session yesterday, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said the global COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the way that the health systems in the country handle mental health, which is essential for good health and wellbeing in today’s society.

“However, we often ignore its importance, and we have consistently understaffed and underfund these programmes,” he admitted, while noting that the country as a resultant lacks qualified staff to properly handle and diagnose persons who face mental health issues.

“The current pandemic has now exacerbated these problems. The threat of infection, repeated lockdowns, curfews, social isolation, and economic uncertainty have created widespread fear and anxiety,” he added.

Since the initial outbreak, Anthony said, many persons who previously had no struggles with stress and anxiety are now challenged with coping with stress while those persons who prior to the pandemic had mental health conditions, found that their issues worsened. Additionally Anthony indicated that a World Health Organization survey showed that persons with pre-existing mental health conditions were those most affected by the disruptions to mental health care as a result of the pandemic.

Further, Anthony went on to say that according to studies, high rates of anxiety and depression were reported in some patients who recovered from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Anthony noted that those who work in the health care field may also face mental health issues as they are at a greater risk of infection and face stigmatisation as a result. Against this background, he said that the virtual training will assist the health care workers on how to cope with stress and also detect persons with mental health vulnerabilities. Those participating in the training will be trained on ways to counsel and assist those persons through the challenges.

“We hope that at the end of the course that you will be better prepared to provide a mental health response to the pandemic,” the minister said as he declared the virtual training officially opened. It is expected to conclude on November 14th.