More attention must be paid to the psyche of mental health professionals providing care to patients, says senior consultant psychiatrist at the Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Brian MacLachlan.
Responding to questions from the DAILY NATION about the state of Barbadians’ mental health, after two people reportedly committed suicide recently, he stressed that many mental health professionals were also under pressure as individuals appealed for help due to the fallout from COVID-19, the active hurricane season, eruption of La Soufriere volcano and other personal crises.
“People are taking mental health seriously, and between COVID-19, the volcanic ash situation, and [Hurricane] Elsa, persons have recognised the challenges to mental health which can occur. This is occurring across the spectrum of society, including those who are in the health field.
“This has led to all of us in mental health, both public and private practitioners, being much busier. So there is a need for attention to human resources, so that persons who are working and have been working providing mental health services do not suffer burnout, and do not themselves start to require such care themselves,” MacLachlan said. (TG)
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