A message from Dr David Cameron Inspire Clinical Lead Psychologist

09/04/2020

COVID-19: Eternal gratitude to our heroic health and care workers

Tragically, as of 9th April there have been a total of 7,097 deaths in the UK and 235 in Ireland officially recorded as attributable to COVID-19 – moreover, in ROI, around a third of all coronavirus cases are among healthcare workers. Sadly included amongst the latest fatalities were nine NHS staff, five doctors, two nurses (both young mothers), two health care assistants and at least one Irish healthcare worker simply, quietly doing what they have done for many years – save lives, comfort and care for the sick and vulnerable. Their unerring professionalism, compassion and dedication on this occasion cost them their lives, prematurely stealing from their loved ones a grandparent, father, mother, son, daughter, spouse, sibling, or colleague and friend.

As our health services rapidly prepare for a surge in coronavirus cases, their colleagues continue selflessly, fearlessly to fight physical and emotional exhaustion-fatigue with a fierce compassion, courageously putting their own lives on the line to care for and comfort our most sick and vulnerable. For this, the nation is rightly applauding, honouring them, super heroes and heroines in the battle against COVID-19. Super heroes have distinctive protective clothing and special powers, hopefully the supplies of appropriate PPE will hold out, but there is certainly no shortage of special powers in their calm resolve, courage and kindness.

Dr David Cameron - Inspire's Clinical Lead

Understandably in what are uncertain, unknown times all of us are anxious and fearful for ourselves and our loved ones. None of us are immune and we must continue to follow the official advice to stay at home, observe social distancing and wash our hands to protect ourselves, loved ones vulnerable others and those providing healthcare services. However, if we can take a deep breath, pause for a moment in the space between panic and concern, COVID-19 can teach us that although some of us will and do suffer more than others, none of us are immune. Connecting with our vulnerability and humility can awaken us to the cruel fact that before and after COVID-19 many in the world are in a daily, never-ending struggle for survival. It is important therefore, to be grateful for and value what we have, be kind to yourself and do what you can to support others amidst this global crisis, celebrating our common humanity by compassionately recognising that we are all in this together.

On that note we must get behind our heroes and heroines not least our very own Inspire team of carers, key and support workers, working tirelessly in the supported housing and residential settings to care for and comfort some of our most vulnerable members of society.

The COVID-19 crisis will inevitably pass, but let’s show our eternal gratitude to these essential and invaluable frontline health and care workers, heroes and heroines to whom we owe so much. In this brave new world everything has changed, yet nothing has changed, they are simply, quietly doing what they have always done caring for and comforting the sick and vulnerable.

However, even super heroes and heroines get tired - a recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association, found frontline health care workers reported symptoms of stress induced depression (50.4%), anxiety (44.6%), insomnia (34%) and overall distress (71.5%)

Below is a link to some useful resources to help instil psychological antibodies to sustain and protect you from emotional exhaustion and battle fatigue:

COVID-19 & Mindfulness Resources for Health & Care Staff
https://www.themindfulnessinitiative.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=d83f9973-dae4-4267-a67f-f11a83502f8d

If you’re frontline staff with access to our EAP you can contact Inspire’s 24/7 helpline for support or refer in for structured telephone video e-counselling.
In NI: 0808 800 0002
In ROI: 1800 817 5362

View Dr David Cameron's previous blog post - A courageous, compassionate response to COVID-19: keeping it simple to save lives