According to the results of a survey of 149 professionals specializing in mental health care as well as 46 patients and family caregivers, the Superior Health Council reiterates its alert: “mental health is not sufficiently taken into account in this crisis ”.
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Dn a second opinion issued on Tuesday on mental health in times of pandemic, the Superior Health Council (CSS) reiterates conclusions already drawn last May: mental health is not sufficiently taken into account in this crisis.
In light of the results of a survey of 149 professionals specializing in mental health care as well as 46 patients and informal caregivers, the CSS has identified several points of attention.
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Professionals in the “abandoned” sector
Among these, the scientific advisory body of the FPS Public Health highlights the lack of consideration of mental health in the management of the pandemic as well as the lack of recognition for the work accomplished by professionals in the sector. .
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“They felt abandoned, while their sector is historically underinvested, and the context was particularly difficult and anxiety-provoking. Mental health professionals have suffered from fear of contamination, lack of financial security, and the difficult balance between private and professional life, ”notes the CSS.
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Mental health professionals also clearly indicate that several vulnerable groups should be given special attention. “The crisis linked to Covid-19 has reinforced social inequalities in society, which themselves have an impact on mental health,” recalls the advisory body, for whom “groups with low socio-economic status and groups with other vulnerabilities (especially psychic) should receive more attention, as should children, adolescents and students ”.
Recognize the importance of mental health
With regard to the general population, it is important to preserve the resilience and adaptive capacity of individuals as much as possible.
To prevent later problems, the SHC recommends recognizing the importance of mental health at all levels of pandemic management in order to increase the effectiveness of crisis management and to minimize the adverse effects of mental pressure. chronicle on the population. “This recognition can for example result in the integration of mental health professionals in all sections that manage the pandemic”, illustrates the CSS, which also suggests an effective communication campaign on the promotion of mental health and an effort additional to the level of the budgets provided for the latter.
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