It’s been a hard year’s night – reflections of a clinical leader

During the year of 2020 it became evident to all of us, that health – and mental health in particular – is a fragile and valuable treasure of ours.

The shock generated by the first wave of the COVID 19-pandemic, the dramatic change in our lifestyle and the management of our fears called the most of us to face significant challenges. During the second wave starting with the autumn, unfortunately we faced many losses and more sacrifice, which made our psychological strains heavier. Therefore, during this year, we might have experienced the rudimentary necessity of doing something on a daily basis in order to maintain, preserve and develop our mental- and physical health.

What this passing year has brought to us are new ways of coping – different from we used to employ – significant changes in our professional and private life, and by manies: a change of approach to our life. Although we do not really have accurate data yet, it is seemingly evident, that in accordance with the COVID-19 pandemic the prevalence of anxiety- and mood disorders have been risen during the year in Hungary[1]. We have recognized new phenomena such as quarantine fatigue or pandemic fatigue[2] which challenged all the mental health professionals.

In accordance with these, during only this year our colleagues helped those employees who turned to us for help on more than 3500 occasions in crises, tragedies, various life situations and questions. It became evident in the hard times evoked by the pandemic, that the interdisciplinary, integrative, and holistic-approached safety net, what ICAS Hungary can provide to the customer companies can be important. It became evident, that a professional, specially trained helper available around the clock every day who – in case of an emergency – can even save life is important and valuable.

The experiences of this year showed us evidently that it is the most important to focus on prevention: online workshop activities, trainings and group sessions proved to be important sources of retention for the attendees who have acquired new viewpoints, techniques and skills and were able to practice those with the aid of a trained professional. The complex challenges of 2020 called our attention to the fact that there is a greater need for our holistic care than ever before since many of our fellow beings next to their psychological challenges experienced existential or interpersonal hardships as well and the help of our trained lawyer or financial advisor colleagues were invaluable. Our psychologist colleagues faced various professional tasks: next to the clinical- and health psychological duties the proportion of vocational psychological and relationship-related counselling were significant this year, and we had to help in collaboration with the OMSZ and with the colleagues working in the system of psychiatric care multiple times. All this certifies, that at a significant portion of our clients turning for us for help a pervasive crisis developed, which affected their various life domains. In the vast majority of these cases – as a consequence of the conducted psychological work – a significant development was observable.

This is the very message that I would underline in connection with the upcoming holiday season. Although the situation is hard, there is always a potential for attachment, development, personal growth and to shape up a new lifestyle and maybe a new attitude to life amongst the hardships. If it is not going well on our own it is not a shame but enriching to ask for effective help either as an individual, or as an organization.

Wishing you all a peaceful and tender preparation for the Holidays:

Balázs Matuszka, Ph.D.

Clinical leader

ICAS Hungary

[1] https://www.portfolio.hu/gazdasag/20201216/a-nepbetegseg-ami-mindenkinek-draga-460006 (interview with professors of psychiatry)

[2] https://www.szabadeuropa.hu/a/30989697.html (an interview with Dr. József Gerevich, professor of psychiatry)