An outbreak of fear, rumours and stigma: psychosocial support for the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa. Issue 1 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheung, Eliza Y.L.
• Is Part Of: Intervention. Volume 13:Issue 1(2015:Mar.)
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Ebola -- psychological first aid -- psychosocial support -- psychosocial training -- social mobilisation -- wellbeing -- West Africa; Psychiatric social work -- Periodicals; Refugees -- Mental health services -- Periodicals; Mental health counseling -- Periodicals; Armed conflict; Mental Health Services -- Periodicals; Refugees -- Periodicals; War -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Social Work, Psychiatric; Service social psychiatrique -- Périodiques; Réfugiés -- Santé mentale, Services de -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Santé mentale -- Périodiques; Mental health counseling; Psychiatric social work; Refugees -- Mental health services; Periodicals; 362.20425
• DOI: 10.1097/WTF.0000000000000079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1571-8883

Abstract

Abstract : This field report summarises the experience and lessons learnt by the author, who was deployed as an International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies psychosocial delegate to Liberia for the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in July and August 2014. Psychosocial issues encountered in the field, including fear in local communities and among aid workers, the spreading of rumours, heath measures interfering with traditional rituals and stigmatisation are discussed in detail. Also included are suggestions for dealing with these issues and actions taken during the mission. The importance of psychosocial support as a lifesaving matter in this outbreak is also highlighted. Finally, the author calls for initiation of sustainable mental health care and service development in affected countries, in order to maintain the momentum for change.