Working with a COVID-19 Risk-Group

“Most of the beneficiaries with whom I actively work are people over 50 years of age who have to live with the diagnosis of chronic diabetes. They belong to the risk group for COVID-19. Therefore, constant work with them is fundamentally important.”.

Aida Taroyan
Psychologist
Armenian Red Cross Society

I have a long experience of working in the Armenian Red Cross. Since 2017, I have worked with the organization’s disaster management and social health department. Recently, I have been actively working in the psychosocial support of diabetic patients.

Most of the beneficiaries with whom I actively work are people over 50 years of age who have to live with the diagnosis of chronic diabetes. They belong to the risk group for COVID-19. Therefore, constant work with them is fundamentally important. I  work mainly in groups with them. During each session, my priority as a psychologist is their psychosocial support. I realize that this is a huge responsibility towards my patients. During each session, I focus on quickly identifying stressors – the main causes of stress in patients, in order to choose the right treatment and support strategy.

I believe that a psychologist should constantly take care of self-development. It is also very important to have reliable colleagues around you. Teamwork, referrals, case reviews, and mutual support are crucial in our business.

These are the factors that play a decisive role in achieving success in critical situations such as a pandemic. I am glad that the environment in which I work with patients is equipped with every opportunity to succeed in my work, no matter how difficult the case I am dealing with or how stressful the situation I have to cope with.

I believe that a psychologist should constantly take care of self-development. It is also very important to have reliable colleagues around you. Teamwork, referrals, case reviews and mutual support are crucial in our business.