In honour of World Mental Health Day, OUCRU’s Public and Community Engagement group, in partnership with the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD), Vietnam Psychotherapy Association (VnPA), and Medisetter, will host a webinar on “Mental Health in the Workplace.” The webinar will focus on providing psychological first aid, raising awareness about mental health during and after disasters, and discussing strategies for mental health preparedness in future crises. This webinar also aims to equip healthcare workers and researchers in the affected areas with practical coping strategies.
When: 19h – 21h on October 10th, 2024 (World Mental Health Day)
Where: Via Zoom and YouTube Live (Link will be provided before the event via email to registered participants)
How: Register here
Last month, Yagi, the strongest typhoon in 30 years, hit Vietnam. As of September 27th, Yagi had directly and indirectly caused 334 deaths and missing people, with 1,976 people injured and suffering from post-traumatic psychological effects.(1)
Among communities affected by disasters like Yagi, the short- and long-term psychological challenges faced by healthcare workers, especially who participated in rescue efforts or stayed in the affected areas, often go unnoticed.
A research by Mao et al. in 2018 found out that in the immediate aftermath, witnessing firsthand the destruction and loss of life caused by such devastating events can be traumatic. An example is that 40.5% of emergency rescue workers exposed to the United Airlines DC-10 crash developed acute stress disorder, with younger workers being more susceptible (Fullerton et al., 2004).
In the long term, rescue workers are at an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety (Mao et al., 2018). A study by Smith and Burkle reported that 79.6% of EMS providers who responded to the 9/11 attack reported PTSD symptoms, with some still experiencing feelings of guilt, anxiety, and nightmares 15 years later (Smith and Burkle, 2019).
Healthcare professionals may also face practical difficulties due to limited access to medical equipment, dangerous and unstable working environment, as well as other potential additional physical and psychological risks; which further intensify the psychological burden they face.
However, there are several challenges need to address when considering how to support the mental health of healthcare workers.
A key issue is the lack of resources and support systems specifically tailoured to address the mental health needs of this workforce. Dr Pham Ngoc Thanh, OUCRU’s Pubic and Community Engagement’s Psychological Advisor, will shed light on this issue and provide psychological first aid strategies to help health professionals to cope with and prepare for mental distress themselves as well as help people suffering an extremely distress event.
How health organisations can better support their staff’s mental health, both now and during crises is important yet needs to be practical. Dr. Lam Tu Trung, Vice Head of the Vietnam Psychotherapist Association will share his experience and identify potential relevant issues and practical solutions of implementing mental health interventions tailored for healthcare workers.
Addressing the stigma associated with seeking mental health support and emphasising the importance of support from organizations are essential to create an environment where healthcare workers feel encouraged (not embarrased) to seek help. Ms. Nguyen Thi Le Hong, Head of the Social Work Division at HTD, will discuss mental healthcare needs among healthcare workers and share activities implemented by her department.
Participants can also benefit from meaningful discussions, experience sharing sessions, as well as practical tools and techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and burnout in high-pressure situations during disasters and health crises.
Registration is free and open to all healthcare workers, researchers, and interested parties.
For any questions or further information, please contact us via our official communication channels, including our website, social media accounts, or email at publicengagement@oucru.org.
Reference:
- https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/environment/yagi-s-devastation-and-aftermath-a-recap-of-vietnam-s-biggest-disaster-in-decades-4796969.html
- https://academic.oup.com/annweh/article/67/8/1018/7226980
