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03/13/2022
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Psychosocial support
Strategies in long COVID 19
DR.VITA CAMELLIA MKED SPKJ
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Introduction

 The novel corona virus disease COVID-19 was first diagnosed in humans in Wuhan,
China in December 2019. Since then it had become a global pandemic.
 Such a pandemic leads to short- and long-term mental health burden for healthcare
workers and general population
 Recent surveys suggest that rates of psychological stress, depression, anxiety, and
insomnia and will be high for this group.
 Numerous organizations have since released guidance on how both healthcare workers
and the general public can manage the mental health burden.

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Define

Psychosocial support
A general term for any non-
therapeutic intervention that helps a person cope with stressors in the home 
or at work.

(https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/psychosocial+support)

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 Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS ) is a composite term used

describe any type of local or outside support that aims to protect or promote
psychosocial well-being and/or prevent or treat mental disorder

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 = supporting psychosocial well-being.

 People working in the health sector tend to speak of mental health, but historically have
also used the terms psychosocial rehabilitation and psychosocial treatment

 to describe non-biological interventions for people

with mental disorders

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Supporting people who are experiencing stress

 How to help people who are feeling stressed and how to know when to call specialized
service providers
 Signs of stress
 Stress is a natural reaction, and one which everyone experiences.
 Signs of stress may include:
 emotional reactions: feeling sad, angry, scared, etc.
 behavioural reactions: lack of motivation, avoiding doing activities, becoming violent, etc.
 physical reactions: headaches, muscle pain, back pain, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, etc

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Something they can do to feel better

 People may already have things they do to help themselves in stressful situations.
 To support them to draw on this knowledge, ask the person,
 “What has helped you previously when you have felt this way?” or “What do you
currently do to help yourself feel better?” You can provide them with prompts if they
struggle to think of something, e.g. “Is there anyone who can help you?”; “
 Are there any activities you used to enjoy doing that you could do?”.

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If a person cannot think of anything they can do to help themselves, you can make suggestions like the ones in the box

Make a list of all Try to find time to

Do something
the things you are do an activity you
Exercise, walk or creative, such as
grateful for (in enjoy (a hobby) or
dance. art, singing, crafts
your head or on find meaningful
or writing
paper). every day.

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m8

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Speak to a friend Read a book or

Listen to music or
or family listen to an
the radio.
member. audiobook

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If someone appears anxious or stressed, slow
breathing may help.

 Anxiety causes an increase in our breathing rate, as part of the physical fight or flight
response to a perceived threat.
 However, when our breathing rate increases without any physical exertion, we breathe out
too much carbon dioxide. If the body cannot quickly return carbon dioxide levels to the
optimal range, we experience further symptoms such as dizziness, light-headedness,
headache, weakness and tingling in the extremities and muscle stiffness.

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Gaining control over your breathing involves both slowing your rate of breathing
and changing your breathing style

 . Use the following steps to be well on your way to developing a better breathing habit.
 1 Ensure that you are sitting on a comfortable chair or laying on a bed
 2 Take a breath in for 4 seconds (through the nose if possible
 3 Hold the breath for 2 seconds
 4 Release the breath taking 6 seconds (through the nose if possible)., then pause slightly before breathing in
again.
 5 Practise, practise, practise!

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When someone is experiencing serious
distress

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1. Safety first! Make sure that you, the person
and others are safe from harm. If you feel
unsafe, leave and get help.
If you think the person may hurt themselves,
get help (ask a colleague, call emergency
services, etc.).
Take preventative measures against COVID-19
infection (e.g. physical distancing). Do NOT
put yourself at risk.
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2.Let them know who you are: Introduce
yourself clearly and respectfully – your name
and your role, and that you are there to help.
Ask them for their name so that you can
address them.2
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5. Offer practical
comfort and
4 Listen: Use your information: If possible,
communication skills, offer the person a quiet
3. Keep calm: Don’t place to talk, a non-
Do not pressure the
shout at the person or alcoholic drink or a
person to talk
physically restrain blanket. These gestures
them. . Be patient and reassure of comfort will help
them that you are there them feel safe. Ask
to help and to listen. them what they need –
don’t assume that you
know.

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6.Help people regain control

b. If the person is out of touch with

their surroundings, remind them where
a. If the person is anxious, support c. Help them to use their own good
they are, the day of the week and who
them to breathe slowly – see “slow coping strategies and to reach out to
you are. Ask them to notice things in
breathing” technique supportive people in their lives.
their immediate environment (e.g.
“Name one thing you see or hear”).

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7. Provide clear information: Give

reliable information to help the
person understand the situation and
what help is available. 8.Try not to leave the person alone.
Make sure that you use words they If you can’t stay with them, find a
can understand (not complicated safe person (a colleague, a friend) to
words). Keep the message simple be with them until you find help or
and repeat it or write it down if they feel calmer.
needed.
Ask them if they understand or have
any questions.

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 9. Refer to specialized support: Do not go beyond the limits of what you

know. Let others with more specialized skills, such as doctors, nurses,
counsellors and mental health professionals, take over. Link the person
directly with support, or make sure that they have contact information and
clear instructions for getting further help.

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Cognitive Behavior Therapy

 Cognitive behavioural therapy – more commonly referred to as CBT –

focuses on the way people think and act to help them with their emotional and
behavioural problems
 Psychotherapy’s ability to influence inflammation has been well demonstrated. For
instance, women treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) after experiencing their
first episode of major depression showed a significant correlation between the decrease in
IL-6 levels after treatment and remission rate

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LONG-TERM TREATMENT

 Controlled physical exercise,

 maintaining adequate sleep;
 preventing exacerbation of chronic infections, allergies, and
autoimmune disease;
 and, reducing risk of concussions (e.g.,falls); and, overreacting to stressors of everyday living
(a target for counseling and psychotherapy).
 Facilitate and support activities that promote good mental health, including self-care, physical
activity and social connectedness

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Conclusion

 Pandemic leads to short- and long-term mental health burden for healthcare workers and
general population
 Psychosocial support
A general term for any non-
therapeutic intervention that helps a person cope with stressors in the ho me or at work
 Learn basic psychosocial skill, deep breathing, cognitive behavior therapy

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