July 10, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis has affected the entire globe, with people dying in record numbers from the virus. Essential workers, which includes all first responders, nurses, doctors, nursing aides, and others who must go to work, are on the front lines.
This article will examine various methods that first responders can utilize to help decrease stress in their working lives.
Essential Workers and Stress
Unfortunately, many essential workers also live with the effects of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) struggle to manage stress. This lowered ability to manage stress is costing front line workers mentally. Also, there will be effects in the lives of first responders long after COVID-19 is only a memory.
Typically, complex post-traumatic stress disorder leaves essential workers feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, which raises their stress to harmful levels. The increased pressure is especially toxic during the current pandemic as first responders struggle to maintain their professional edge.
A few examples of stresses essential workers face are direct or indirect exposure to death, grief, injury, and pain. First responders must also deal with threats to their personal safety and long hours of work. All those stressors lead to poor sleep, physical hardships, and mental health issues. (Botha et al. 2015)
The Long-Term Effects of Stress on First Responders
There has been research conducted to try and measure the long-term effects of stress experienced by front-line workers to see what mental health difficulties these folks face.
The results are sobering.
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