We are all in the same Covid-19 storm, but not in the same boat

The Covid pandemic has been with us now for over 18 months. In that time all groups across society have broadly speaking, experienced a decline in mental health and wellbeing. 

However, a closer look at the psychological and social experiences of adults in BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic groups), paints a sobering picture. During the pandemic BAME groups reported higher instances of mental health and wellbeing issues. Some key reasons for this statistic include:

BAME individuals reporting greater levels of loneliness and worry about contracting Covid-19. Particularly during the first year of the pandemic, when the medical community constantly gave the misinformed impression that all BAME people were highly susceptible to developing Sars Cov-2 as a result of their ethnicity. Instead of highlighting the fact that BAME individuals with an underlying health condition, or who worked in close proximity to vulnerable patients or those who interacted closely with members of the public were at a heightened risk of being infected by the virus.

BAME individuals reported more sleep deprivation than the general population during the pandemic. This finding could be related not only to fears about being exposed to the virus, but also concerns about transmitting the virus to loved ones, particularly given the fact that many BAME households are highly representative of a variety of Frontline and Essential workers.

Greater levels of stress, and thoughts of suicide were also reported to be higher among BAME groups. Managing stress has been a major focus of the wellbeing agenda for everyone, whether at home or in the workplace, particularly during the current pandemic, and Ambulance Services around the UK, have made a tremendous effort to provide, encourage and support, easily accessible and much needed wellbeing facilities in their respective Trusts.

For BAME individuals heightened stress levels may be linked to issues like a lack of flexibility in terms of income, for example, not being in a position to reduce working hours due perhaps to being the main or sole wage earner in the household, or maybe due to caring responsibilities. Excessive stress could be caused by inflexibility in terms of having to physically be present at a work location due to the nature of the work, and therefore less available to manage caring or family responsibilities, potentially brought about by the Pandemic.

For BAME individuals heightened stress levels may be linked to issues like a lack of flexibility in terms of income, for example, not being in a position to reduce working hours due perhaps to being the main or sole wage earner in the household, or maybe due to caring responsibilities.

These types of social and economic stressors will have been equally felt by Ambulance personnel who identify as BAME, particularly where Ambulance Trusts have been operating for sustained periods of time under extreme pressure at REAP 4.

As we continue to forge ahead in our collective battle to bring Covid-19 under control, and when approached by a BAME colleague, particularly during Black History Month, let’s take the time to listen, enquire and attempt to understand the specific set of circumstances they face, rather than taking the easy option, of forming judgments based on your experience and your individual handling of the pandemic, whether in your place of work, or in the home, on the basis that we are all in the same pandemic storm, because by taking the time to listen to what is currently proving to be an overwhelming challenge for a BAME colleague, you may come to understand, that we are not all in the same boat.