Doc: Frontline workers need time off to release stress

The National National

By LULU MARK
PEOPLE working in the frontline in any crisis situation are subjected to a lot of stress hence it is important they take the time to care for themselves, a doctor says.
Dr Uma Ambi, acting director of the Social Change and Mental Health Service directorate, said these people needed to ask themselves if they were ready or okay to work in the frontline.
She said individual preparations before stepping into the frontline and self-care during the response was paramount for frontline workers.
“There are three things every frontline worker should get right in any crisis situation,” Dr Ambi said.
She said the first was “getting ready to help” because one needed to consider how best he or she could get ready to be a helper and the things to do are:

  • Learn about the crisis situation which includes the roles and responsibilities of different helpers;
  • Consider your health and personal or family issues that may cause severe stress as you take the helping role; and,
  • Make an honest decision about whether you are ready to help in this particular crisis situation at this particular time.

Dr Ambi said the second was “managing stress” because in a crisis situation there would be long working hours, overwhelming responsibility, lack of clear job description, poor communication and management, and also injuries sustained or witnessing events such as violence, destruction and death which would lead to stress.