A new online professional mental health service has been launched to offer support to people working on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The service, which is being provided by turn2me with funding from Sláintecare, is free and available for anyone who self identifies as a frontline worker — from healthcare professionals to those working in retail, and from teachers to tradespeople.
Founded in 2009, turn2me was the first organisation in Ireland to provide professional mental health support services entirely online. Its new service for frontline workers is a peer support, instant chat service.
Each session is facilitated by a mental health professional and supported by trained volunteers.
Work-life balance
There are 20 groups available each week and there are job specific groups available, as well as groups based on shared issues such as stress, burnout and how to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Groups are scheduled at different times in the day throughout the week to accommodate shift workers, and participants can remain anonymous when online.
The content and timings of the groups were developed following consultation and discussion with frontline workers from different disciplines.
Speaking as the service was launched today, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “It has been a difficult year for everyone across the country, but especially for our frontline workers. While the majority of people were asked to stay at home, our frontline workers went to work.
“Among them were our healthcare professionals who acted selflessly, putting their own health at risk, in order to care for their patients.
“We owe them, and all frontline workers, a debt of gratitude. These experiences will have taken a toll on many, which is why this online professional mental health service from turn2me is so important.”
Brian Holohan, clinical manager with turn2me, said: “Demand for turn2me’s services has increased significantly, at the peak of the pandemic earlier this year for example, demand spiked by 386 per cent.
“It has been challenging for everyone, but especially for our frontline workers. The adverse psychological impact of working in such stressful circumstances, while at the same time dealing with the reality of Covid-19 in their personal lives, should not be underestimated.
“There’s a large evidence base that peer support, like the service we’re launching for frontline workers, is effective and that it can also act as a helpful gateway for people who haven’t reached out for help before."
