The page length should be two to three pages and include three to five citations. The pages should be double spaced and APA style. Please include data Review current data related to the effects of
The page length should be two to three pages and include three to five citations. The pages should be double spaced and APA style. Please include data
Review current data related to the effects of Covid-19 on mental health for healthcare staff and the greater community. How would a great healthcare leader engage with these populations to improve mental health care and treatment?
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Introduction:
Covid-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for healthcare staff and the larger community. The effects of the pandemic on mental health have been significant, and medical professionals are at the forefront of managing and treating these effects. A great healthcare leader should engage with both healthcare staff and the greater community to improve mental health care and treatment. This paper will review current data related to the effects of Covid-19 on mental health for healthcare staff and the larger community and outline strategies that healthcare leaders can use to address these challenges.
Effects of Covid-19 on Mental Health:
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health. A recent study found that nearly half of respondents reported symptoms of depression and anxiety during the pandemic, and the number of people experiencing these symptoms has increased over time (Czeisler et al., 2020). Healthcare staff have been particularly affected by the pandemic due to the high workload, exposure to the virus, and the fear of infecting themselves and others. According to a study, around 20% of healthcare staff reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD (Spoorthy et al., 2020). Furthermore, the associated stress and social isolation have worsened pre-existing mental health conditions, such as substance abuse and domestic violence (Holmes et al., 2020).
Engaging with Healthcare Staff:
A great healthcare leader should engage with healthcare staff to improve mental health care and treatment. Firstly, healthcare leaders should provide clear guidelines on personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control measures to reduce the risk of infection. Adequate PPE is essential for reducing anxiety and stress in healthcare staff. Secondly, healthcare leaders should provide regular mental health check-ups for healthcare staff to assess their mental health status and offer support as needed. Thirdly, healthcare leaders should prioritize the mental health of healthcare staff by reducing their workload through the provision of additional staff and resources. Fourthly, healthcare leaders should provide access to mental health services, such as therapy and counseling, to their staff.
Engaging with the Community:
A great healthcare leader should also engage with the larger community to improve mental health care and treatment. Firstly, healthcare leaders should increase public awareness of mental health conditions through public campaigns and virtual town hall meetings. Secondly, leaders should provide mental health education to the public, including information on self-care and access to mental health services. Thirdly, healthcare leaders can collaborate with local organizations to provide mental health services to the underserved population. Fourthly, leaders should provide crisis hotlines for people to contact when they need mental health support during the pandemic.
Conclusion:
The Covid-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for healthcare staff and the larger community. Mental health has been particularly affected, and medical professionals are struggling to manage and treat these challenges. A great healthcare leader can improve mental health care and treatment by engaging with healthcare staff and the larger community. Leaders can provide clear guidelines on PPE and infection control, prioritize the mental health of healthcare staff, provide access to mental health services, and increase public awareness, among other strategies. Overall, the mental health of healthcare staff and the larger community is a critical aspect of the Covid-19 response, and healthcare leaders must prioritize mental health for effective treatment and management of the pandemic.
References:
Czeisler, M. É., Lane, R. I., Petrosky, E., Wiley, J. F., Christensen, A., Njai, R., … & Rajaratnam, S. M. W. (2020). Mental health, substance use, and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic–United States, June 24–30, 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(32), 1049.
Holmes, E. A., O’Connor, R. C., Perry, V. H., Tracey, I., Wessely, S., Arseneault, L., … & Ford, T. (2020). Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for action for mental health science. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(6), 547-560.
Spoorthy, M. S., Pratapa, S. K., & Mahant, S. (2020). Mental health problems faced by healthcare workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic–a review. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 51, 102119.