Coping in Crisis: The Role of Psychologists in Response to a Pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on the world. In the United States, healthcare systems have been taxed, medical supplies depleted, and healthcare providers overburdened by the increased need. Although psychologists cannot provide medical services, we possess a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological services 2022, Vol.19 (S2), p.28-32
Main Authors: Houtsma, Claire, Boffa, Joseph W., Raines, Amanda M., Constans, Joseph I., Martin-Klinger, Caitlin, Konur, Baris B., Franklin, C. Laurel, Jones, Kenneth R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coping
Coping Behavior
Coronavirus
COVID-19
Emotional Responses
Health care industry
Health needs
Health services
Human
Medical Personnel
Medical supplies
Mental Health
Mental health professionals
Pandemics
Problem Solving
Psychologists
Veterans
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Summary:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on the world. In the United States, healthcare systems have been taxed, medical supplies depleted, and healthcare providers overburdened by the increased need. Although psychologists cannot provide medical services, we possess a unique skillset that can alleviate some of the stress placed on healthcare providers, answer important questions about how this disease impacts patients, and support the growing mental health needs of providers and patients alike. The following commentary outlines the ways in which psychologists and mental health workers at one facility, the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, supported the medical system and cared for patient and staff mental health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons learned from this experience as well as important future steps are discussed. Impact Statement Our experiences suggest that psychologists can play a vital role in healthcare systems' response to a medical crisis. Psychologists can support such a response by identifying gaps or inefficiencies in the medical system's approach, proactively providing functional assistance to services that are overburdened, and ensuring the mental health needs of patients and healthcare providers are expeditiously addressed.
ISSN:1541-1559
1939-148X
DOI:10.1037/ser0000527