Health care workers in need of mental health support amid pandemic burnout
Health care workers are the backbone of the health care system. Before and during the pandemic they have been suffering from burnout, mentally and physically.
“They went from heroes to zeros,” said Miranda Ferrier, the CEO of the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association. “That is what my membership likes to call it. They feel like they’ve been forgotten.”
Since the fall of 2021, Ferrier said PSWs have been in short supply, as many of them have experienced an increase in violence and harassment both on the job and online.
“We’ve seen a huge increase of personal support workers being diagnosed with PTSD and stress-related mental health issues,” said Ferrier.
Michael Hurley, the president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions for CUPE, says many of those in healthcare are now experiencing something called ‘moral injury.’
“In other words, they themselves are injured... No matter how hard they work no matter if they work through their breaks or lunches or stay late, they can never make up for the fact that they can’t give people the care they need," he said.
According to Hurley, many health care institutions are operating with a significantly low number of workers.
"The problem with Ontario is that going into the pandemic, we had the second fewest number of staff working in long term care of any province," he added.
With increased hospitalizations, staff shortages, extra-long shifts, combined with putting themselves at risk for contracting COVID-19, those working in health care need support now more than ever.
While many in the profession believe these issues need to be tackled first in order to make a real difference, psychology professor Paul Frewen at Western University encourages people to seek mental health support available to them.
“There are ways to access care safely at a physical distance as well. Much research has gone into the internet delivery of mental health care and it is seen to be comparable as to face to face care,” said Frewen.
Ferrier says her association offers free mental health and self-wellness webinars every month for PSW’s and other health care professionals across Ontario.
“Because we believe they need to have that comradery, they need to know their colleagues are going through the same thing they’re going through and that they’re not alone,” Ferrier concluded.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.