Giving care in crisis

Published: March 27, 2020, 8:53 a.m.

As the coronavirus outbreak worsens in many areas, the mental health of those providing frontline care is under strain. We’ll hear from one care worker in Spain afraid of passing the virus to her family, as well as health care workers around the world who are scared. Laura Hawryluck, associate professor at the Toronto Western Hospital Critical Care Response team in Canada, tells us what the SARS outbreak can teach us about the experience and resilience of care workers and Dr Alys Cole-King, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in Wales, UK, explains what advice there is for those who have to get up and go to work every day. If you are depressed and need to ask for help, there's advice on who to contact at BBC Action Line. Outside of the UK, visit Befrienders International for more information about support services. Producers: Vivienne Nunis, Frey Lindsay (Picture: Health care workers speak with an elderly woman in Ontario, Canada. Picture credit: Getty Images)