Psychological support for healthcare staff

The British Psychological Society has released guidance for healthcare managers and staff on managing the psychological needs of staff in the current crisis. These recommendations cover steps for the response that is needed now, in the ‘active phase’, and in the future, in the ‘recovery phase’. The normalisation of psychological responses to the crisis is also encouraged, with the key message being ‘it is okay to not be okay’. The guidance states that formal psychological care should be delivered in a ‘stepped response’, where basic needs and physical resources are managed first, progressing to support and psychological aid, and eventually psychological intervention if necessary. The full briefing on these guidelines can be found on the Society’s website.