We Thought We Were Prepared, but We Were Not”

Experiences from the Management of the Psychosocial Support Response during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Sweden. A Mixed-Methods Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15469890
AuthorsKarin Hugelius (0000-0003-0534-4593, Örebro University, corresponding author), Sara Johansson (0000-0001-6159-1893, Creative Mammals, 413 27 Gothenburg, Sweden), Helena Sjölin (Örebro University)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue17
Pages9079-9079
Publication date2021-08-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18179079
PMID34501668
OpenAlexW3197518997
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

This study aimed to describe experiences of managing mental health and psychosocial activities during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. A national survey was answered by a non-probability sample of 340 involved in the psychosocial response. The psychosocial response operations met several challenges, mainly related to the diverse actors involved, lack of competence, and lack of preparations. Less than 20% of the participants had received specific training in the provision of psychosocial support during major incidents. The interventions used varied, and no large-scale interventions were used. The psychosocial response organizations were overwhelmed by the needs of health care staff and failed to meet the needs of patients and family members. An efficient and durable psychosocial response in a long-term crisis requires to be structured, planned and well-integrated into the overall pandemic response. All personnel involved need adequate and specific competence in evidence-based individual and large-scale interventions to provide psychosocial support in significant incidents. By increasing general awareness of mental wellbeing and psychosocial support amongst health professionals and their first-line managers, a more resilient health care system, both in everyday life and during major incidents and disasters, could be facilitated

Competence (human resources · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Mental health · Pandemic · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychosocial · Psychosocial support · Scale (ratio · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Disaster Response and Management · Medicine · Nursing · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Social Psychology