Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://reliefweb.int/report/world/psychosocial-support-during-outbreak-ebola-virus-disease
Psychosocial support during an outbreak of Ebola virus disease
Report from International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Published on 18 Aug 2014
Download PDF (682.38 KB)
1. Introduction
The West African ebola epidemic is unlike anything we have seen before: The virus is spread over several different countries and is likely to spread to even more countries. The local health care systems are ill equipped to handle such a large scale outbreak. The disease is highly infectious and has a high mortality rate. Rumors, misconceptions and misinformation about the disease and how to prevent it are widespread.
Early on in the response to the disease, psychosocial support was identified as a key priority. Psychosocial support is not only vital to ensure the well‐being of the affected population, but also to counter‐act the threats to public health and safety that fear, stigmatization and misconception poses. Furthermore, everybody involved in the response, from expat staff, local staff and volunteers, are working under unusually stressful conditions.
This briefing note provides background knowledge on the psychosocial aspects related to ebola and suggests psychosocial support activities that can be implemented...
Psychosocial support during an outbreak of Ebola virus disease
Report from International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Published on 18 Aug 2014
Download PDF (682.38 KB)
1. Introduction
The West African ebola epidemic is unlike anything we have seen before: The virus is spread over several different countries and is likely to spread to even more countries. The local health care systems are ill equipped to handle such a large scale outbreak. The disease is highly infectious and has a high mortality rate. Rumors, misconceptions and misinformation about the disease and how to prevent it are widespread.
Early on in the response to the disease, psychosocial support was identified as a key priority. Psychosocial support is not only vital to ensure the well‐being of the affected population, but also to counter‐act the threats to public health and safety that fear, stigmatization and misconception poses. Furthermore, everybody involved in the response, from expat staff, local staff and volunteers, are working under unusually stressful conditions.
This briefing note provides background knowledge on the psychosocial aspects related to ebola and suggests psychosocial support activities that can be implemented...