Virtual support group initiative for mental health professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Objective: As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, mental health professionals have faced the challenge of helping their clients cope with pandemic-related distress on top of ongoing therapeutic issues. This article describes a telehealth-delivered peer/mutual support program for mental health professionals during the pandemic and the key themes identified by participants.

Method: An interdivisional American Psychological Association task force formed a working group to identify practical ways to provide mental health professionals with direct support during the pandemic. A mutual support program, the Clinician Support Collaborative, was initiated using virtual video technology. This article describes the program and themes that emerged, including the challenges and benefits of using virtual video technology to host mutual support meetings.

Results: Mutual support meetings were conducted on a weekly basis in 2020 and 2021, with mental health professionals and trainees in the Americas, Australasia, and India participating. Key themes identified included the logistical, therapeutic, and privacy concerns participants faced when shifting to telehealth, professional isolation, compassion fatigue, moral injury, burnout, stigma, disparities, and the intersection of personal/family stressors and work stressors.

Conclusions: Recommendations for future use of virtual video technology to provide mutual support by and for mental health professionals are provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).