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Survey on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on the Sri Lankan mental healthcare system and the needs of frontline healthcare workers in the post-covid era

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dc.contributor.author Wijesinghe, C.
dc.contributor.author Chandradasa, M.
dc.contributor.author Ranwella, P.
dc.contributor.author Samaranayake, A.
dc.contributor.author Wickrama, P.
dc.contributor.author Gamage, N.
dc.contributor.author Siriwardane, G.
dc.contributor.author Goonathilake, N.
dc.contributor.author Perera, S.
dc.contributor.author Dahanayake, D.
dc.contributor.author Mendis, J.
dc.contributor.author Kapila, R.
dc.date.accessioned 2023-08-24T05:14:25Z
dc.date.available 2023-08-24T05:14:25Z
dc.date.issued 2023
dc.identifier.citation The Ceylon Medical Journal.2023;68(S1):21-26 en_US
dc.identifier.issn 0009-0875
dc.identifier.uri http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/26514
dc.description Indexed in MEDLINE. en_US
dc.description.abstract INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic severely strained the health care in Sri Lanka. The subsequent economic crisis compounded this issue. Priority was given to treating those afflicted with COVID-19 and preventing its spread, and healthcare staff faced immense difficulties dealing with the situation. The psychosocial impact of COVID on health care staff has not been properly assessed or addressed. OBJECTIVES: A study was conducted to identify the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 among four different categories of health care workers, and perform a needs assessment among these groups. METHODS: A convenient sample of frontline health workers, mental health teams, 1926 mental health helpline workers and 1990 Suwa Sariya emergency ambulance service staff were assessed via a self-administered questionnaire for mental health impact, work capacities and needs. RESULTS: Among frontline workers (n=188), 42.5% experienced anxiety symptoms, 12.8% depressive symptoms and 4.1% suicidal thoughts. Most (58.9%) lacked a psychological support system at the workplace. Only 20% have accessed specific programs or services at their workplace to obtain support for mental health issues, and all have benefitted from them. All categories of health workers lacked training and resources. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that a significant amount of health care workers undergo psychological problems in the course of their work especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis reveals that Sri Lanka lacks structured psychological support systems for health workers and needs more resources and training. Psychological support for health workers through strengthening resources and training should be prioritised when planning service development. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Sri Lanka Medical Association en_US
dc.subject COVID-19 en_US
dc.subject healthcare staff en_US
dc.subject mental health en_US
dc.subject Sri Lanka en_US
dc.title Survey on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on the Sri Lankan mental healthcare system and the needs of frontline healthcare workers in the post-covid era en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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