Caring for the Carers: Mental Health Challenges in Frontline Professions

You cannot pour water from an empty cup – This is a very famous saying indicating that anything in itself that is empty may not be able to offer support to others. Our frontline workers put their best foot forward in supporting people who are experiencing anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. At the same time, something to think about is who takes care of them? Who do they reach out to when they feel emotionally vulnerable?

Frontline professionals may also experience fatigue and stress. Their mental, physical and social health is just as important as anyone else’s. The mental health challenges that these frontline professionals experience can be managed with proper support.

The Invisible Weight of Frontline Work

Frontline workers such as healthcare professionals, police officers, firefighters, teachers, etc often experience a lot of added pressure apart from the daily responsibilities. For example, not just supporting the patient in the hospital but also keeping oneself updated for the best possible treatment options, administrative tasks and wearing multiple hats due to the shortage of staff.

Common Mental Health Challenges Faced by Frontline Workers

Frontline workers are constantly engaged in taking care of others’ well-being and during this process, their own self-care can get compromised. Some of the common mental health challenges faced by frontline workers are mentioned below.

Burnout and Emotional Exhaustion

• Unable to get sufficient sleep
• Difficulty maintaining work-life balance
• Long working hours and shifts

Compassion Fatigue

• Being in a place wherein you are constantly exposed to extreme stress may lead to compassion fatigue
• Challenges in maintaining healthy boundaries with the clients may also contribute towards compassion fatigue
• Vicarious stress and a feeling of hopelessness can also be experienced and lead to compassion fatigue

Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Disorders

• Irregular shifts can contribute towards sleep issues
• Fatigue due to decreased sleep can lead to a low mood
• Anxiety might be experienced to ensure the safety of self and others

Moral Injury and Guilt

• If a worker is asked to take some steps against their will, then that can lead to moral injury
• Blaming oneself for what has happened in the client’s life can lead to a strong feeling of guilt
• One may also experience moral injury and guilt at the time of crucial decisions

Factors That Intensify Mental Health Strain

The psychological strain experienced by frontline workers can be intensified because of many reasons such as:

• High workload
• Long working hours
• Multiple responsibilities

The Impact on Work, Life, and Well-Being

Being in a constant state of stress and vigilance can have a severe impact on different areas of life. Some probable outcomes of this state are mentioned below.

Professional Consequences

• Decreased productivity
• Increased conflicts in workplace
• Difficulty focusing

Personal and Relationship Strain

• Interpersonal relationship conflicts
• Bringing work home may disrupt family life
• Personal care may become negligible

Long-Term Health Risks

• Hypertension
• Ulcers
• Weakened immune system

Recognizing the Warning Signs Early

The severe consequences of high rates of burnout can be prevented if an individual starts becoming more aware of their warning signs. Warning signs can be identified by the family members, friends, colleagues and even oneself.

Behavioral and Emotional Indicators

Some behavioral and emotional indicators may include:

• Irritable mood
• Experiencing anxiety
• Emotional numbness
• Aggressive tendencies

Physical and Cognitive Red Flags

Certain red flags may appear in the form of:

• Increased absenteeism from work
• Decreased productivity in workplace
• Unable to focus and pay attention
• Body pain and muscle tension
• Impact on memory and learning ability

Why Self-Awareness Matters

Self-awareness can play a key role in the identification of the warning signs timely manner and taking necessary steps to improve wellness. Self-awareness can also help in accepting the concerns and acknowledging the need for a break and relaxation.

Strategies to Support Mental Health in Frontline Roles

There are numerous strategies that the frontline professionals can utilise to support their mental health. One may have certain preferences as to what resonates with them, and accordingly, the coping strategy can vary.

Prioritizing Self-Care Without Guilt

Engaging in self-care activity can look like:

• Taking a day off
• Spending time with loved ones
• Exploring old hobbies
• Seeking professional support

Building Supportive Work Cultures

Supportive work cultures can be built through some team-building activities. Supportive colleagues can help in empowering each other. They can also stand together during distressing times creating a safe space at the workplace.

Role of Organizations and Policy Makers

The organisations and policy makers can be mindful of the work done by the employees and the possible consequences of that work on the employee only. The company guidelines can be set in a way that the workplace culture is healthy and strengthens mental health and well-being. This can be done through the following ways:

1. Seminars and workshops for increasing emotional awareness
2. Team-building activities and relaxation breaks for employees
3. Encouraging the frontline professionals to seek support whenever needed

Family and Community Support for Carers

After working hours, the frontline professional may spend time with family or friends. An empathetic and supportive attitude from them can uplift the mood of professionals.

How Loved Ones Can Help

• Offer a safe space to relax and unwind
• Loved ones can listen without judgment
• They can identify early warning signs

Community Support Networks

Support groups and other networks can also play a crucial role in discussing daily concerns and working on them collaboratively. These networks can be used for referral, learning insights and building unity.

Conclusion

An empathetic space and evidence-based techniques are two of the many core components that build Athena OKAS. We are a female-centric mental health organisation. Our goal is to support all those females who have experienced mental health challenges and are willing to improve their quality of life. We offer support for concerns such as PTSD, anxiety and depression.

You can call us at +91 9289730444, and our team would make every possible effort to explain the admission process, treatment plan and goals from the recovery journey.