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A Mental Health First Aid Service in an Italian University Public Hospital during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak

Author

Listed:
  • Nelson Mauro Maldonato

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
    Intradepartmental Program of Clinical Psychology, Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Mario Bottone

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
    Intradepartmental Program of Clinical Psychology, Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Alessandro Chiodi

    (Intradepartmental Program of Clinical Psychology, Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Grazia Isabella Continisio

    (Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Raffaella De Falco

    (Intradepartmental Program of Clinical Psychology, Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Marzia Duval

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
    Intradepartmental Program of Clinical Psychology, Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Benedetta Muzii

    (Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Gerarda Siani

    (Intradepartmental Program of Clinical Psychology, Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Paolo Valerio

    (Department of Neuroscience, University of Naples Federico II, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Roberto Vitelli

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
    Intradepartmental Program of Clinical Psychology, Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Cristiano Scandurra

    (Department of Neuroscience, University of Naples Federico II, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, 80131 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been extremely stressful and has produced fear and anxiety throughout the population, representing a psychological emergency. This work aimed at presenting a mental health first aid service established within an Italian university public hospital context to address four different population targets (i.e., people vulnerable to mental health problems, health-care professionals, people in isolation, and general citizenship). Specifically, the organizational structure comprising four different areas (i.e., management, clinical, communication, and research) and first data collected from the foundation of the service until 3 May 2020 are presented. Findings indicated that anxiety and fear of contagion were the main motivations prompting both the general population and health-care professionals to ask for a psychological help. Furthermore, findings indicate that clients’ current quality of life was perceived as lower than in the past but also that imagined in the future, highlighting the importance of psychological first aid interventions. This service may represent an example for helping mental health professionals in developing similar services in their local realities, promoting health and individual and community resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Nelson Mauro Maldonato & Mario Bottone & Alessandro Chiodi & Grazia Isabella Continisio & Raffaella De Falco & Marzia Duval & Benedetta Muzii & Gerarda Siani & Paolo Valerio & Roberto Vitelli & Cristi, 2020. "A Mental Health First Aid Service in an Italian University Public Hospital during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:10:p:4244-:d:361496
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. McCabe, O.L. & Everly Jr., G.S. & Brown, L.M. & Wendelboe, A.M. & Hamid, N.H.A. & Tallchief, V.L. & Links, J.M., 2014. "Psychological first aid: A consensus-derived, empirically supported, competency-based training model," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(4), pages 621-628.
    2. Sultana, Abida & Sharma, Rachit & Hossain, Md Mahbub, 2020. "Burnout Among Healthcare Providers During COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Evidence-based Interventions," SocArXiv 4hxga, Center for Open Science.
    3. Tiziana Ramaci & Massimiliano Barattucci & Caterina Ledda & Venerando Rapisarda, 2020. "Social Stigma during COVID-19 and its Impact on HCWs Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-13, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Haobin Fan & Xuanyi Nie, 2020. "Impacts of Layoffs and Government Assistance on Mental Health during COVID-19: An Evidence-Based Study of the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-23, September.
    2. Ana Blasco-Belled & Claudia Tejada-Gallardo & Cristina Torrelles-Nadal & Carles Alsinet, 2020. "The Costs of the COVID-19 on Subjective Well-Being: An Analysis of the Outbreak in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Monia Vagni & Tiziana Maiorano & Valeria Giostra & Daniela Pajardi, 2020. "Hardiness, Stress and Secondary Trauma in Italian Healthcare and Emergency Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-16, July.
    4. Roberta Gasparro & Cristiano Scandurra & Nelson Mauro Maldonato & Pasquale Dolce & Vincenzo Bochicchio & Alessandra Valletta & Gilberto Sammartino & Pasquale Sammartino & Mauro Mariniello & Alessandro, 2020. "Perceived Job Insecurity and Depressive Symptoms among Italian Dentists: The Moderating Role of Fear of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-12, July.
    5. Cristina Mazza & Marco Colasanti & Eleonora Ricci & Serena Di Giandomenico & Daniela Marchetti & Lilybeth Fontanesi & Maria Cristina Verrocchio & Stefano Ferracuti & Paolo Roma, 2021. "The COVID-19 Outbreak and Psychological Distress in Healthcare Workers: The Role of Personality Traits, Attachment Styles, and Sociodemographic Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, April.

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