Mental Health Support of Frontline Medical Personnel in the Javits New York Medical Station Federal COVID-19 Treatment Center.

Abstract

The federal government responded to the early epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States by mobilizing uniformed services and other federal medical personnel to treat patients at the Javits New York Medical Station. Deployment of large numbers of personnel required flexible psychiatric and psychological support. This report details the establishment of mental health support services for frontline personnel in a large convention center and explores lessons learned to encourage future mental health professionals to apply creative and assertive mental health interventions in disaster settings. Timely and effective interventions included securing safe therapeutic space in high-traffic areas, developing relationships with leadership and frontline workers in their own work environments, and disseminating services throughout the civilian medical system. We suggest mental health supplementation during the medical response mission strengthened morale in frontline workers in a disaster scenario.