The Importance of Debriefing During and After a Pandemic
Pandemics are nature’s way of reshaping our lives. But for regular human beings, pandemics cause feelings of anxiety, grief, and stress. That’s not all. Pandemics force us to cancel our plans and upend our livelihoods at times. At such events, psychological debriefing is recommended and should be organized.
And how does this debriefing help you, if you ask? Well, these debriefings are organized to help people process stressful and traumatic events. These debriefings ultimately help avoid any mental health problems in the future.
In this article, we are going to talk about – why debriefing is important not only during a pandemic but also after a pandemic.
Why Is Debriefing Important During a Pandemic?
Pandemics have a huge impact on the economy and the health situation of the nations. But the psycho social impact on societies is probably the greatest of them all. Although this impact will be different for different groups of people, the impact will still be profound.
Debriefing During A Pandemic Can Help Us in Several Ways:
- • We can all learn from each other’s challenges and find a way to succeed no matter what.
- • Create plans and take initiatives. All these will bring positive changes a midst all the uncertainties
- • Deal with situations and incidents much more effectively the next time
- • Educate ourselves well enough to prevent it from happening at a subsequent time
Importance and Need of Debriefing After a Pandemic
The trauma, stress, and anxiety experienced by people during pandemics; sometimes manifest years later. And can end up causing issues in almost every aspect of a person’s life. It can lead to eating disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, and depression. Debriefing helps people share personal experiences faced during a particularly stressful situation.
The goal of these debriefing programs is to assess the effectiveness of crisis management in individuals. Debriefing post-pandemic can help people in the following situations:
- • It can help people reconnect with their surroundings as well as families and friends. Especially if a person has started avoiding people and places and has become isolated.
- • It can help individuals start enjoying doing the things they used to previously. This is because there are people who might have stopped enjoying or lost interest in their daily activities altogether.
- • It can help people who have been experiencing nightmares, flashbacks, or even hallucinations. Debriefing will help distress and letting go of the memories and ordeals of the pandemic.
- • Debriefings help people deal with the problem of feeling excessive emotional. People tend to get jumpy, irritated, angry, easily annoyed, emotionally unavailable, and detached. And that’s not all. They can also have physical symptoms like diarrhea, increased heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, muscle tension, and rapid breathing. Debriefing helps in becoming emotionally and physically more stable.
Debriefing can be considered simply as an information-sharing session between peers. Each of the listeners can act as a counselor or therapist for the other. They can help understand and process the shared information. One of the most important reasons why debriefing is important is that it helps assess the need for further counseling. And thereby, it ensures a brighter, happy, and peaceful future for each of us.
Excellent topic. Very good suggestions being offered here. Out of all the topics in the world, I would not have thought about someone putting together a site that discusses the pros/cons and the ins/outs of a pandemic. It is interesting that you discuss procrastination at a time like this. I would think with all of us being stuck at home for so long that we would have gotten lots and lots of things done without procrastinating.
very good topic.
A lot of us have extra time right now, the situation may not look good, however life goes on. We need to move forward with a positive mind
Thanks for this interesting post.
i certainly agree that people need to talk through what they have experienced and where necessary learn to accept it and to move on. This debriefing can be in groups or one to one with a counsellor. Sometimes we are not totally aware of our feelings, or sometimes we are not being totally honest with ourselves until we do explore exactly how we feel and actually hear ourselves saying it out loud.
This is important when dealing with any major events in our lives.
Well said, i agree with you totally
It certainly is a problematic time for many people. Particularly the younger generation who have had to close their business’s and lay of staff, many who would have been like family.
Counselling does help, unfortunately it is a big ask considering that in many cases you are dealing with people who have had their dreams snatched from them and now find themselves in dire financial straits. Many would have young families and so many children have missed a lot of schooling.
Like you say, the full effects of this may not become evident for a few years.
Thank you for your comments.
Such a relevant and important topic, its been a tough year or so world over and mental health has been a real issue, it has been difficult for everyone regardless.
Staying positive has been difficult for many and being able to debrief, get things off your chest and being able to talk about the future is important.
Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, thanks for your comments.
I agree, I feel that this Pandemic has a huge impact on everyone’s lives. I cannot even imagine what the kids are going through being born in this pandemic and very little experience with the social life. I can say that my stress and anxiety gott worse. Anyways, thanks for pointing out about debriefing. What do you usually do?
I love writing, putting my words on paper relieves majority of my stress. I also communicate with my family, we support each other.
Hi there
An interesting topic that you are talking about.
After reading your article I realize that yes psychological debriefing would be necessary during a pandemic.
Many people have been affected by the pandemic in different ways.
I guess debriefing with counselling and getting information to aid recovery. I agree with you that by doing that certain things like depression and anxiety may be lowered or avoided.
Thank you
Best wishes
Sheen
Thanks for your comments.
Hello. Co vid has been a trying time for everyone in the world including myself. debriefing is something we all need to do and understand. With so much uncertainty in the world now and all the issues that you have mentioned in the blog post, you are absolutely right in helping people understand all the different issues surrounding this trying time. Very informative blog. Thanks for this.
My pleasure, thank you for your comments.
Great topic, I’ve witnessed the stress and anxiety the pandemic has caused some of my family members, we do have some light at the end of a very long tunnel here in the UK so hopefully we can step out into a world that resembles the one we left behind in March 2020. Great information, thank you.
It’s my pleasure to assist, thank you for your comments.
Yes, yes, yes, I agree with this on so many levels. It’s so important. And not enough people are emphasizing this (just to avoid the word “stressing”).
I mean, back when I was partaking in a Judicial clinic that offered people free legal advice under the supervision of experienced professionals, we had these. I mean, it was kind of a rule. Meaning, after a meeting with a client, you always had to debrief. And I really felt a difference in my overall stress levels when I didn’t. And so, we just learned by feeling that these debriefs as such are absolutely paramount. But it’s not like you get to realize this when it comes to debriefing and pandemics unless someone tells you.
So, absolutely, keep spreading the message. It’s a very important one. And, indeed, the benefits are fruitful. Personally, my favorite one is being able to deal with situations better the next time. 🙂
Being exposed to a situation you learn a lot, like the things you should and should not do. Thank you for your comments.
A lot of people need this. I feel like this pandemic did a lot to a number of people. People lost their lives and others went into a derp depression, so it is very important to debrief. I will be sure to share this article with everyone I know. I believe that it will help someone out there.
Covid-19 has affected us all either directly or indirectly, thanks for sharing