south african firefighters Emergency Services Echo–Nova
Photo Cred: Supplied | On File

In our darkest moments we rely on everyday heroes. These men and women are our bravest and finest but they are also human.

 

The bravery and dedication of the Emergency Medical and Rescue Services who tirelessly battled the building fire in Johannesburg on Wednesday (5 September 2018) is remarkable. However, the tragic loss of three firefighter’s lives and those who were injured in the blaze, highlight the emotional needs of South Africa’s pressurised emergency workers.

Much needed psycho-social support for South Africa’s emergency workers should be readily available to ensure that they can function optimally, says Echo–Nova (The Emergency Counselling and Mental Health Organisation – New Beginnings).

This new Non-Profit Organisation, the first of its kind in the country, wants to help emergency workers who live with the burden of repeated exposure to trauma.

“We salute our invaluable emergency workers. It is vital that they have quick access to appropriate support so that they can make a fresh start with a clear mind,” says Echo–Nova CEO, Zanel van Rensburg.

Professionals who work in the emergency medical field work in a fast-paced environment that is stressful and often dangerous. Apart from exposure to trauma on a daily basis, our bravest and finest are falling victim to serious and violent crimes and trauma while on duty.

Over time, this kind of work environment may have adverse effects on the mental health of Emergency Medical Service professionals and the prevalence rate of diagnosable Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among this group of professionals is estimated at 14.6%. These professionals are at risk for burnout, anxiety, depression and suicide.

In South Africa there are over 70 000 Emergency Care practitioners (not including nurses and doctors working in an emergency department).

Echo–Nova is a Non-Profit Organisation established in response to the need for awareness as well as effective, accessible and appropriate mental health care for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) professionals. Some access to counselling services is available, but these services do not always meet the needs of EMS personnel. This, coupled with an apparent dearth of research on the extent of trauma exposure of EMS personnel and the effects thereof, has led to initiatives that preceded the establishment of Echo–Nova.

“They often have to return to work immediately, after a particularly taxing shift with call-outs such as this fire where, saving lives – regardless of the risk to their own – cost the lives of their colleagues.”

“That is why we need to find a more efficient way to minimise the negative impact of continuously working under very stressful and often dangerous circumstances, which may eventually lead to burnout; acute – and Post-Traumatic Stress.”

Echo-Nova has a group of professionals specialising in all aspects of trauma that want to promote effective, accessible and appropriate mental health care for South Africa’s EMS professionals.

Its website provides self-scoring tools to identify burnout, depression, anxiety or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and offers information about the different types of support services that are currently available.

“We are committed to finding suitable and sustainable solutions to improve the wellness of persons working in the EMS environment. Our key focus areas include support, increasing resilience, training, and raising awareness. We invite stakeholders in the healthcare industry to become involved,” says Echo – Nova.


Sources: Echo–Nova
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Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

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