What mental health/brain health support do frontline health and social care workers want?

This interesting study, published in PLoS One, looked at Mental Health/Brain Health needs of frontline workers during the COVID19 pandemic. This is often overlooked, even though participatory workplace health is a very useful strategy. They researchers conducted 25 interviews with frontline workers from a variety of professional groups working in health and social care settings across the UK. Themes derived from their analysis showed that workers’ experiences and views about psychosocial support were complex. Peer support was many workers’ first line of support but could also be experienced as a burden. Workers were ambivalent about support shown by organisations, media and the public. Workers valued psychological support services, there were many disparities in provision and barriers to access. The authors conclude that frontline health and social care workers are likely to need a flexible system of support including peer, organisational and professional support. More research is needed to fully unpack the structural, systemic and individual barriers to accessing psychosocial support. Greater collaboration, consultation and co-production of support services and their evaluation is warranted.