QI Connect with Professor Andrew Gumley

We are delighted to announce that this month's QI Connect session is with  Professor Andrew Gumley (University of Glasgow) . This special session on wellbeing, Thursday, 29th October 2020, 3pm - 4pm (UK time) is definitely one not to be missed!

‘Navigating the mental health impacts of COVID-19 on staff wellbeing and population mental health’

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, there are significant and unfolding mental health impacts. This is being reflected in increasing rates of anxiety and depression.

There is the direct and immediate mental health consequences of infection on patients – such as the traumatic impacts of severe respiratory distress managed in the context of intensive care.

For front line staff there is not just exposure to the virus, but also high rates of stressful and potentially traumatic experiences associated with clinical decision making and care delivery.

This impact has spread widely across the whole population either as a direct result of the virus or due to governments’ social distancing measures to contain infection. It has not only spread broadly but also unevenly across populations reflecting the critical influences of pre-existing inequalities.

In this seminar, Professor Andrew Gumley (University of Glasgow) will share key findings and recommendations from the COVID-19 Mental Health Research Advisory Group and reflect on our immediate and evolving responses to the mental health challenges of the pandemic. The emerging evidence informing Government Policy in relation to staff wellbeing and population mental health will be described.

Whilst there is a Scottish focus on the development of the National Wellbeing Hub, the session will highlight research evidence from across the world and the impact on health and wellbeing.

Andrew Gumley is Professor of Psychological Therapy in the University of Glasgow Institute of Health and Wellbeing, and is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist for the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde ESTEEM Early Intervention for Psychosis service. Andrew is Director of the NHS Research Scotland Mental Health Network and is Chair of the Scottish Government COVID-19 Mental Health Research Advisory Group.

Andrew is passionate about increasing the inclusivity of people with lived experience of mental health problems and the development of networks to support greater connections between researchers, clinicians, people with mental health problems and policy makers.

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