COVID-19 Mental Health and our Disaster Recovery System
I have been involved in a lot of disaster recovery efforts, all fire, flood, or tornado related, at the community level, and during two provincial states of emergency.
“Mental Health support for survivors of the 2013 southern Alberta floods was mostly gone after five years.”
In all of these cases media and governments would flash photos and video of devastated communities, burnt to the ground or flooded to the roof tops. The public could easily see the damage and the toll the event took on the community. But with COVID-19, even though we are all experiencing the event together, the damage will not be as recognizable. Unless there is a vaccine, the risk of COVID-19 springing up during the flu season, as a ‘second wave’ is very likely. In fact, the risk and fear of COVID-19 could haunt society for decades to come.
To start, I am not a first responder, nor am I a ‘response guy’. Response is stressful. I did seven years as a search and rescue volunteer and a decade of working in the Alberta Provincial Operations Centre. I tried my hand at being an Incident Commander and I am tired of this type of shift work. I am still very involved in prevention/mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. This is probably because my background is management…..I love to plan, incorporate a systems design and coach approach, educate, and empower.
During post-pandemic recovery, markets will respond and adjust, jobs will come back, and people’s financial health will rebound. What is more of a concern is the mental health recovery aspects of a post-pandemic World.
All of us have a part to play in ensuring long-term mental health recovery is a priority
During the 2013 southern Alberta floods, the majority of mental health support for survivors was gone after five years. This was because financial support for mental health programming was made available through government grants which was limited. Sure, these grants allow for a quick ramp up of programming, the problem with this is there is no sustainability for the long-term mental health recovery (five years plus).
What are governments planning for long-term?
Absolutely! Acute health services are required today; however, while this event is ongoing and as we move into post pandemic surveillance there will be a significant influx of mental health challenges and illness across Canada, and not just for five years.
We will see generational impacts from this pandemic. Kids will grow up remembering COVID-19 which will spark all sorts of fears and anxieties. Our public health system will see an increase in mental health challenges because:
there are those who may not have a mental health illness today, but may have challenges related to COVID-19 now or in the coming months,
there are people who think they will never have a mental health, but current realities are developing an illness within them, and
there are those who had mental health challenges and illness before COVID-19, and now they will have compounded challenges.
I am curious to know how each federal and territorial government will respond to mental health funding, they will all be different, they will all have different outcomes. I hope the federal government steps up as a leader to help provinces and territories offer long-term sustainable support and treatment for all Canadians and Indigenous communities.
Other questions:
How is the ‘supply chain’ for psychologists and therapists and social workers?
What do they need to be ready for increased demand?
How will public education campaigns be funded?
How will emergency management agencies shift to place more attention on public health?
How will we make the support that is needed available for decades to come?
If provinces and territories develop different support models, what impact will this have across Canada? Where will disparities be and how will this change communities?
What can you do today?
As a health care provider or government Staff
Start building a business case now for long-term mental health support.
Connect with experts at Alberta Health and Alberta Heath Services who have been through this before, they have information, ideas, and systems.
Reach out to your not-for-profit, and other stakeholders, and the whole community to brainstorm.
Make it an issue!
As an individual
If you have never reached out or received mental health support before, start now! Source two to three registered psychologists or other mental health supports and book an over the phone consultation to see if they are a good fit for you.
Have at least one appointment with them so they have a sense of your background and potential challenges. So when you need them they are ready and one phone call away.
Make mental health support an issue, let your government officials know it is top of mind for you.
Comment below and stay-tuned for upcoming blogs on recovery efforts.
For information on Hazardscape Management Inc. visit our about page.
Author: Brad Ison is a professional disaster and emergency management coach. He’s held various position specific roles in the Alberta Provincial Operations Centre and had decade long career at the Alberta Emergency Management Agency where his focus was on Disaster Recovery and his last role served was as the Director for Training, Accreditation, and Standards.
Get our free guides on How to Choose a Coach and How to Discuss Coaching with your Manager
Brad will never disclose or sell your information. It will be used to provide you quality service and value. Our privacy policy
Curious about our Disaster & Crisis Management Coaching?
See if you are ready….
