Why Do You Need A Psych For A Pandemic?
By Carla Frayne

A respected client of one of the organisations I work with once asked this question. While he was preparing their mandatory pandemic plan for a government agency, he happened to reflect.  ( in  the context, for most organisations, the notion of a pandemic back in early 2008, seemed a little bit like someone had encountered “Dr Who”.)  Most people were prepared to go along with developing plans. However, here in sunny Western Australia, one of the most remote cities in the world, the notion of a pandemic didn’t seem likely.  At the time the person asked this question, I recall answering rather cryptically.  I was actually bemused that the question was asked, given that psychologists are often at the heart of any crisis.  If a crisis occurs, such as a pandemic, then surely wasn’t it a given that we would be there?  Obviously it wasn’t clear to him, or even quite a few of the greater population. 

The link between a pandemic / disease and psychologists seems a bit strange.  I mean ‘psychologists talk to people’ so what are we going to do with dead or seriously ill people.  When people are physically sick or have died – is talking going to change it?  Obviously not!  It sort of drums up in my mind a psychologist facing a telly tubby like figure of an Influenza bug.  The psychologist saying to this bug ‘oh so what need do you have to infect this poor person, would there not be a better way?’  The bug replies ‘mmmmm’.  Proving you can’t talk a bug out of infecting people!  We certainly don’t have a role here, as psychologists.  Despite this, psychologists have an extremely important role, in the event of a pandemic.  We, unfortunately or fortunately, are some of the people, along with other emergency services, health professionals for example, who are often the best people to deal with these situations. 
 
Going back to my client’s question as to why a psych might be needed during a pandemic. My answer to my client was equally as blunt as his question.  He asked ‘if we are in the middle of a pandemic, then why would we need you psychologists?’  My reply was ‘you won’t!’  (Obviously not a great business woman – was probably his thought. I was secretly thinking, thank goodness for telephones to provide any employee stabilisation and the ability to counsel over the telephone away from any potential infection!)  My second response to him was ‘you will need us after the pandemic’.  He could see the logic of this given his experience in dealing with the aftermath of crisis situations.  In debriefing the loss of colleagues, managing changes in circumstances for employees and assisting with the ongoing stressors as a result of potentially major and rapid changes. 

However, my next response threw him, which was ‘oh you will probably need us before’.  He looked at me as if I had become Yoda, speaking in lateral shifts. This was the part that he didn’t understand. Why would a psych bee needed initially?   He had got the during and end part, based on his prior experiences of crisis.  If there were deaths or losses of any kind, then obviously you bring in, or phone, the counsellors to help people adjust.  Just like everyday if someone has a major accident, or there is a fatality in the workplace. It is almost standard practice these days.  But to have someone come in prior???  I said to him ‘yes, this is probably when we are our most effective, and offer your organisation the best return on investment.’  He could not quite grasp this.  Particularly as at this stage there was no pandemic in sight (and probably seemed a bit of a conspiracy theory at this stage.) 

I find this quite an interesting aspect, writing this during the Swine Flu pandemic and tonight the World Health Organisation is looking to increase the rating – whatever will occur, it is still attracting concern from people globally.  I can empathise with my client though, given there was no warning of the recent Tusnami, and only after this did people start speaking of prior and post interventions.  So why would you need a psych before a pandemic? 

Well, simply the answer is we are the experts in prior- planning and prevention.  We know what could increase or decrease trauma, increase coping and resiliency, understand the potential effects of witnessing colleagues bodies being carried down the hall, worry if you are infected, the claustrophobia of not being able to leave the building due to containment restrictions.... the list goes on.  Prior to all of these potential situations we can assist in preparing employees, developing their personal and intrapersonal (due to increased risks for conflict) skills, and assisting them with practical strategies to mitigate personal traumatisation.  We can assist managers and supervisors with ways to help themselves in dealing with leading such a difficult situation and supporting their staff.  Many organisations forget that we can be an essential part of their planning.

Although they may plan, we deal with crisis situations and the range of human reactivity on a daily basis. If you haven’t got the assistance of your Employee Assistance Program’s co-ordinator, or another psych, maybe you should think about engaging them today for help. Having a psychologist on board with your planning can enhance your logistical and operational functions.  It is not just about looking after dealing with the crisis, it’s about looking to the future.  Often how these crisis events are handled are the most important – in terms of the outcome and employee perception.  So if you are like my client, maybe have a chat today to a psychologist experienced in crisis response and planning.  They may be able to enhance your current plans so you are prepared for any eventuality.  They even may be able to speak “Yoda” and get you to understand the ’why’ you might need a psychologist sooner, rather than  later!