[ad_1]
Hundreds of defense force workers were exposed to ‘critical incidents’ that required psychological checkups after working in Managed Isolation and Quarantine.
The New Zealand Defense Force has been called in to assist with many areas of the government’s Covid response, including in the country’s managed isolation facilities.
Photo: Supplied / NZDF
Almost 2,000 New Zealand Defense Forces personnel who worked on Operation Protect were questioned to see what impact it had on their well-being, and the documents were obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act.
Two surveys were conducted: a Critical Incident Exposure Questionnaire and the Well-Being Questionnaire of Exit from Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities.
Staff were asked if people in isolation and quarantine facilities had discussed or abused them, if there had been significant interactions with the media, if they had been asked to remove a body or remains from the site, what their status was of encouragement during the operation, if there had been any impact on their families and if the operation had affected their plans to remain in the Defense Force.
Of a group of 1,718 staff members currently working or working at the facility, 246 said they had seen something that required a review with the Defense Force’s psychology team, and another 22 requested the help of a psychologist.
Of the 1718 as a whole, 15.6 percent said they had experienced challenging situations while on the job.
Of those who responded to the Well-Being Questionnaire, nearly 10 percent met Defense’s support threshold. And 161 of that group scored at a level where the Defense Forces felt that psychological support was needed or control was warranted.
Another 18 people asked a psychologist to contact them to discuss their response or experience.
Air Commodore AJ Woods said the responses were at expected levels.
“These numbers are similar to the average for operational reports; 15 percent of deployed personnel require additional monitoring.”
Woods said that by November 20, 13 people had decided to leave the Defense Forces from the first cycle of 427 personnel who were assigned to Operation Protect, including four who had already left.
However, the Defense Force said that establishing a direct link between the decision to leave and his service in Operation Protect would be wrong.
In a statement, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the government recognized the unique challenges faced by staff and returnees.
“The situation is unlike any other. It is an unnatural environment that can generate high levels of stress, but provides a critically important function for New Zealand.”
“I know that the staff and managers do everything possible to ensure that the returnees’ stay is as pleasant as possible.”
He said staff at managed isolation facilities played an “incredible role” in the safety of New Zealanders.
“They are on the front lines protecting us all from this virus and have already seen 85,000 returnees make their way through the system.
“I am sure that all New Zealanders will join me in thanking them for their service and acknowledging the difficult role they play. They are true New Zealand heroes.”
