“I am a psychologist at the University of Innsbruck with special focus on emergency psychology and crisis intervention. Besides doing research on staff and volunteer support in crisis and disaster settings, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, I am also practically involved in MHPSS activities as a volunteer and trainer for the Austrian Red Cross.”
Meet Alexander Kreh
The Who Cares project is a great opportunity to connect internationally and exchange knowledge and experiences in staff and volunteer support during the pandemic and conflicts. The project connects research and practical implementation, as we are assessing needs of frontline helpers during COVID-19 and the armed conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh and the Ukraine, and measure their impact on mental health while also providing relevant tools and information for helpers based on our findings.
In Who Cares I mainly contributed by designing a research framework together with the other partners, supporting in data collection, conducting the data analysis and with the training component of this project.
As the study of the precursor project IPP revealed, we see higher symptom and stress levels as well as lower well-being in health care workers at the frontline than in the general population. While in the beginning of the pandemic anxiety and fear was central we see that over the course of the pandemic anger and frustration increased among more and more health care workers. The main challenges were threats to personal safety and the safety of others, quickly changing information and work environment and circumstances that led to the questioning of moral beliefs. At the same time being affected privately at home with limited contact to friends, family and colleagues led to reduced social support.
Psychosocial support has to be implemented on all levels:
Firstly, on a political level, as sufficient instrumental and human resources must be ensured for an efficient response. Furthermore, vulnerable groups need to be addressed when Covid-19 safety measures are determined. Secondly on an organizational level, giving sufficient information and training to ensure staff’s safety while also taking needs of staff and volunteers seriously by assessing those needs and transparently include them in decision-making procedures. Providing proactive on-scene support is crucial. Thirdly on an individual level, activating resources for staff and volunteers, making use of self-help strategies to manage stress and providing easy access to mental health professionals where needed.