Mental health: Nurses on the front line need support

Mental health experts fear the stress of treating COVID-19 patients will have lasting psychological consequences for health care workers, a group already vulnerable to depression and suicide. A report from the World Health Organization supports these concerns, as does a meta-analysis of research into the psychological effects of viral outbreaks on clinicians and effective strategies to manage their stress and distress. In a recent letter, AONL and other nursing organizations asked the White House to take concrete steps to provide psychological first aid to those on the front lines. Steps include directing federal disaster behavioral health agencies and staff to develop resources to aid nurses and other health professionals; activating Public Health Service mental health teams and service access teams; and deploying military disaster mental health teams to heavily impacted areas. (New York Times story, 5/16/20)