SASOP working to break stigma related to mental health issues faced by first responders

The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) is working to break the stigma related to mental health challenges faced by first responders due to the nature of their jobs.

Frontline workers respond to emergencies, including violent crimes, domestic violence, large-scale road accidents, and natural disasters.  

SASOP member, Dr Lerato Masenya, explained: "Stigma is something that we are familiar with in the mental health community. However, it is magnified in first responders because their line of work expects that they can fix everything, fix everyone, and so they should be able to fix themselves."

Masenya added that confidential pathways needed to be prioritised to support frontline workers.

"We need systematic changes that are focused on improving confidentiality, that proactively address risk and also reduce burnout amongst frontline workers. What employers can do is address burnout by rostering frontline workers in such a way that they are exposed to no trauma settings and not only high trauma settings."