Abstract

Efforts have been made to adapt the delivery of mental health care and support services to the demands of COVID-19. Here we detail the perspectives and experiences of mental health workers (MHWs), in relation to what they found helpful when adapting mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic and responding to its demands. Individual interviews were conducted with MHWs (n = 30) during the third COVID-19 lockdown. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and managed using NVIVO. Qualitative data was analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Three themes emphasized the importance of: (1) ‘self-care and peer support (checking in with each other)’, (2) ‘team cohesion and collaboration’ and (3) ‘visible and supportive management and leadership (new ways of working)’. Our findings emphasize the importance of individual, team and systems-based support in helping MHWs maintain their own wellbeing, whilst adapting and responding to the challenges in providing mental health care and support during this pandemic. Guidance and direction from management, with adaptive leadership in providing sustained, efficient, and equitable delivery of mental healthcare, is essential. Our findings support future policy, research and mental health practice developments through sharing important salutogenic lessons learned and transferable insights which may help with preparedness for future pandemics.

摘要

已努力使精神卫生保健和支持服务的提供适应 COVID-19 的需求。在这里，我们详细介绍了精神卫生工作者 (MHW) 的观点和经验，以及他们在 COVID-19 大流行期间调整精神卫生服务和响应其需求时发现的有用之处。对 MHW 进行了个人访谈（n = 30) 在第三次 COVID-19 锁定期间。使用 NVIVO 对采访进行录音、转录和管理。使用归纳主题方法分析定性数据。三个主题强调了以下方面的重要性：（1）“自我照顾和同伴支持（互相检查）”，（2）“团队凝聚力和协作”以及（3）“可见和支持性的管理和领导（新的在职的）'。我们的研究结果强调了基于个人、团队和系统的支持在帮助 MHW 维持自身福祉方面的重要性，同时适应和应对在这场大流行期间提供心理保健和支持的挑战。管理层的指导和指导，以及在提供持续、高效和公平的精神保健服务方面具有适应性的领导，是必不可少的。我们的研究结果支持未来的政策，