Strategies for worker's mental health maintenance in Covid-19 times: An Integrative Review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To present scientific evidence of possible strategies that can be used in workers to minimize psychological distress resulting from the pandemic context. METHOD: During the month of May and June 2020, an integrative review of the scientific literature was carried out on the subject in question, using the descriptors indexed in the DeCS: coping strategies; coronavirus infections; mental health and workers. To carry out the research, the descriptors were combined in the Pepsic, Pubmed and Scielo databases. RESULTS: It was possible to identify the following preventive coping strategies: measures for early identification of mental symptoms, regular measures of rest and training of personnel. As well, it was possible to highlight measures to promote mental health to workers, such as: use of psychological first aid; participation of therapeutic groups; crisis management. And, in the area of mental health rehabilitation: use of meditation and mindfulness techniques, both to be performed by health professionals, at the organizational level, as well as by government actions. CONCLUSION: It is considered that the information on psychological techniques and practices aimed at the worker's psychological health can contribute to the identification and control of psychosocial risks and collaborate for the development in the field of Public Health in relation to the workers' health-illness processes, in particular, of the mental health problems resulting from the pandemic.