The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated further mental health and wellbeing concerns among Canadian healthcare workers and public safety personnel (PSP). Our research suggests that moral injury and perceived lack of organizational support has contributed to post-traumatic stress injuries among Canadian healthcare workers and PSP. Preliminary evidence suggests that increased organizational support may decrease these injuries. In response to these findings, we have mounted a suite of online mental and well being resources to support the psychological needs of Canadians during emergencies and disasters, including future pandemics. In addition, we have developed trauma-informed organizational guidelines intended to reduce psychological distress during these events. Although devastating, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced strongly the need for emergency preparedness before, during, and after events that affect population health. Psychology has a critical role to play in these preparedness efforts.
Dr. Margaret McKinnon is Professor and Associate Chair, Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience at McMaster University where she serves as the Homewood Chair in Mental Health and Trauma in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences. A clinician-scientist, Dr. McKinnon is also appointed as the Research Lead for Mental Health and Addictions at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and a Senior Scientist at Homewood Research Institute. Dr. McKinnon is known for her work characterizing trauma-related illness and PTSD among military members, Veterans, public safety personnel, and survivors of childhood abuse and trauma. She is also involved in the development and testing of novel treatment interventions aimed at often-unexplored aspects of PTSD and trauma, including guilt and shame, moral injury, dissociation, and cognitive dysfunction. Dr. McKinnon served as the Chair of the federally funded PTSD Centre of Excellence's Research Reference group and works closely with government sectors, including Veterans Affairs Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces. Dr. McKinnon has published nearly 190 peer-reviewed papers and chapters and holds funding from numerous federal and provincial bodies, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Institute of Military and Veterans Health Research, National Defence, Veterans Affairs Canada and the Worker's Safety Insurance Board of Ontario. Her laboratory is also grateful for the support of generous donors, including True Patriot Love, the FDC Foundation, the AllOne Foundation, Homewood Health, the Military Casualty Support Foundation, and the Cowan Foundation.
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