1/11 This World Mental Health Day let’s focus on the health care workers in our communities, clinics and hospitals whose wellbeing is so often taken for granted and overlooked. Read full report on @GlobalHealthBMJ - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay

2/11 Many health workers work in conditions of chronic stress. This stress is compounded by situations such as war and disease outbreaks, that cause acute shocks to health care systems. Read full report on @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #worldmentalhealthday2020

3/11 During national & global crises HCWs are some of the worst affected. Coping with stresses & shocks can lead to incredible resilience, but for some it can cause lasting psychological injury. Read full report on @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay

4/11 In Sierra Leone & Liberia C-19 is the latest in a range of shocks to the system which have included war & Ebola. The world can learn from their experiences & approach to #mentalhealth support. Read full report @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay

5/11 “My hospital has 2 oxygen tanks… I am always having to make decisions about who gets access to it… this is our norm.” - Medical Doctor, Sierra Leone
Read full report on @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay

6/11 Healthcare workers can be affected by the stigma & discrimination associated with infectious diseases – sometimes being rejected by the communities they serve. This can have a #mentalhealth impact. Full report @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay

7/11 There are many #mentalhealth lessons that can be learned from the experiences of health care workers in countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia. Read full report on @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay

8/11 During Ebola HCWs were provided with #MentalHealth support incl:
Informal WhatsApp groups
Psychological first aid
Self-care & wellness workshops
Mandatory rest periods
De-stressing zones
Read full report on @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay

9/11 The #COVID__19 pandemic is set to continue for some time. We must urgently share learning on how to protect the #mentalhealth of our global health workforce.
Read full report on @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay

10/11 Psychological support for health workers (incl those in the community) should be built into the #COVID__19 response & subsequent emergency responses, as it has been in Sierra Leone & Liberia. Full report on @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay

11/11 We must ensure community support for our health care workers to provide comfort and consolation in times of difficulty and safeguard the overall resilience of our health systems. Read full report on @globalhealthbmj - https://bit.ly/3lwkAq1  #WorldMentalHealthDay #COVID19