Task Force for Global Health: Needing Custom Care For Trying Times

The Task Force for Global Health were alarmed by the serious effects of stress, burnout, and moral distress among field epidemiologists while dealing to the health challenges of COVID-19. Disastrous provided practical strategies to address the wellbeing of public health workers and shared knowledge and experience gained from working in global disasters.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to persist for some time. Its after effects will continue for many years. Public health workers and first-responders in the United States desperately need the kind of support and assistance that Disastrous provides and the global health community in the U.S. has benefited tremendously from Disastrous's assistance.”   David Addiss - Task Force for Global Health

There is a mental health crisis among public health workers in the United States.  A recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey of more than 26,000 US public health workers found that 53% had experienced significant depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder during the previous two weeks.  More than 8% experienced suicidal ideation during the same period.  The Task Force for Global Health’s Focus Area on Compassion and Ethics (FACE) is fully engaged in helping to address this crisis, working both with CDC and with other health agencies.

Public health officials working to address this crisis reached out to Disastrous for their expertise, experience, and practical solutions and were delighted when Disastrous responded to the call for assistance.  

Disastrous's response included addressing an international conference for field epidemiologists, contributing key communications to global health publications and supporting the development of training. Disastrous is working with the Task Force for Global Health to:

• educate health workers on the risks of working under prolonged stress within the health sector
• familiarize them with practical resources and approaches to maintain mental health while practicing their profession
• implement strategies for career-long wellbeing.

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“Jolie and Elizabeth from Disastrous sincerely care about the mental health and wellbeing of those who ‘run towards’ disaster and suffering to provide help –first responders, relief workers, and public health professionals – and have developed a series of practical solutions for them to maintain a healthy, stable mind in the midst of great stress.”  

David Addiss – Director of the Focus Area for Compassion and Ethics (FACE) at the Task Force for Global Health