Dalhousie study highlights need for sustainable and flexible funding
The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on the mental health of frontline workers across various sectors. Among those hardest hit are staff working in organizations supporting women experiencing domestic violence. A recent study co-led by Alexa Yakubovich, assistant professor of community health and epidemiology at Dalhousie University, sheds light on the profound mental health challenges these workers face and underscores the urgent need for systemic changes and sustainable funding.
"We found significant symptoms of anxiety, depression, and vicarious trauma among staff, often more severe than those seen in social workers and comparable to healthcare workers," says Yakubovich. The study, conducted in partnership with the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto, involved a survey of approximately 130 staff members in the Greater Toronto Area, followed by in-depth interviews with 18 staff. The findings paint a stark picture of the mental health crisis within this sector.
The heavy toll of vicarious trauma
Staff supporting survivors of domestic violence are no strangers to high-stress environments, but the pandemic exacerbated these conditions to unprecedented levels. "One of the important stories that this tells us is that they're dealing with a similar level of stress to people working within the healthcare system but with far fewer resources," explains Yakubovich. The research reveals alarmingly high symptoms of anxiety and depression among these staff members, highlighting the intense emotional labour involved in their roles.
The interviews conducted as part of the study delved deeper into the causes of this psychological distress. Participants reported feeling overwhelmed by the increased demand for services during the pandemic, coupled with the uncertainty of temporary, project-based funding. "There's a real push to need to apply for more funding and a real stress that comes along with that," Yakubovich notes, emphasizing the precarious nature of their work environment.
A call for sustainable and flexible funding
One of the critical recommendations from the study is the need for increased and sustainable funding for organizations supporting women experiencing violence. Historically, these organizations have relied on short-term, project-based funding, which creates a cycle of uncertainty and stress. "We need to see increased funding that is sustainable and allows for flexibility," asserts Yakubovich. The study highlighted the success of flexible funding during the pandemic, which enabled organizations to address their most pressing needs effectively.
Furthermore, the research calls for a collaborative approach between healthcare workers and violence against women organizations. Yakubovich stresses the importance of this partnership: "Healthcare workers need to work in collaboration with violence against women organizations, really thinking about how they can support their patients or clients that might be experiencing violence." This collaboration is vital to ensure comprehensive support for survivors and alleviate some of the burdens on staff in the violence against women sector.
Expanding the research and future directions
Building on the initial study, Yakubovich and her team have expanded their research across Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The interprovincial project, with over 2300 participants to date, continues to reveal persistent stress and challenges faced by staff, even two years post-pandemic. "We're seeing a lot of similar themes, which is that a lot of the stress, staff turnover, and pressures created by the pandemic have persisted to this day," says Yakubovich.
Looking forward, the study advocates for systemic changes to better support both survivors of violence and the staff aiding them. This includes adopting trauma-informed approaches to infection prevention and control, a significant stressor during the pandemic. "With greater funding, we can also see better development of trauma-informed approaches," Yakubovich highlights, pointing to the need for ongoing improvements in the sector.
The findings underscore the critical need for sustainable and flexible funding to support staff working with women experiencing violence. As the mental health crisis among these workers persists, it is imperative to address the systemic issues that contribute to their stress and trauma.
This research not only sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by these essential workers but also provides a roadmap for creating a more supportive and resilient system.
