Looking after your mental health

Nurses and other key staff at the forefront of the coronavirus response in England are being offered training in “psychological first aid” to help them look after their own mental health and that of others during the pandemic.

The free online course has been developed by Public Health England and will be available now  for frontline workers and volunteers who deal with people affected by Covid-19.

The programme was announced by mental health minister Nadine Dorries, a former nurse who in March became the first MP in Westminster to test positive for the virus.

The government recognised the impact the coronavirus outbreak continued to have on the mental health of both staff working as part of the response and the wider public who may have lost loved ones or are struggling in isolation.

It aims to enable responders to develop their skills and confidence in providing key psychological support to people affected by the pandemic, including on issues such as job worries and bereavement.

In addition, the course will also help staff to develop an understanding of how emergencies such as Covid-19 can affect the nation, how to recognise people who may be at increased risk of distress and what to do about it.

Announcing the course, Ms Dorries stressed that supporting one another’s mental health and wellbeing was “more important than ever during these challenging and uncertain times”.

“Staff and volunteers in many different roles are working tirelessly to provide crucial support at this time and are often a critical touchpoint in identifying those who may be affected,” she said.

“This new training course will help to support the incredible work of frontline workers to support those most in need both through the coronavirus outbreak and beyond, equipping them with vital tools to deliver psychological first aid.”

Commenting on the launch of the course, Yvonne Doyle, medical director at PHE, said the pandemic has had a “profound impact on all of our daily lives and none more so than our frontline workers who are seeing the effects of the outbreak first hand”.

“Our training course aims to provide frontline staff and volunteers with additional resources on how to take care of their own mental health and wellbeing, how to provide support to those who need it most and advice on how to cope with difficult situations,” she said.

Meanwhile, Claire Murdoch, a nurse and NHS England’s national mental health director, said: “NHS staff have been working around the clock in the face of the biggest challenge our health service has ever faced, which is why it’s so important that staff are properly supported with their mental health.”

She urged staff to use the new training course, as well as a helpline that was launched by the health service in April to support frontline staff with their mental health during the Covid-19.

Link again for the free online course;

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/psychological-first-aid-covid-19/1?utm_campaign=fl_phecovidpsych_2020&utm_medium=futurelearn_organic_pressrelease&utm_source=fl_pr_outreach

What it includes;

Learn how to give practical and emotional support to individuals using PFA

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is the globally recommended training for supporting people during emergencies and offers guidance on delivering psychosocial care in the immediate aftermath of the emergency event.

On this course, you’ll explore the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and what you can do to help people cope.

The course will teach you the key principles of giving psychological first aid in emergencies.

This course has been produced by Public Health England and is based on international guidance from the World Health Organisation, United Nations and partners.

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