The Mind Field understands firsthand how altruism, ideals, and causes drive humanitarians, development workers, and journalists to work in the field. But when you need support for yourself, often it isn’t there or easily accessible. Burnout— exhaustion, isolation, and even disillusionment—is a real risk to everyone working in the field and can take its toll on people who tend to put the needs of others first.
The Mind Field wants to hear your thoughts on how you could be helped. With this new survey, The Mind Field is taking stock of the experiences of people living and working in the field to better assist individuals and organizations, so that the box of mental health provision isn’t merely ticked, but that real and lasting support can be provided at home and abroad.
Anecdotal evidence suggests field workers believe sustainable mental health support should be easily accessible — before, during, and after deployment. This survey aims to gather what aid workers and journalists think are the best options: when mental-health support would be most helpful, how frequent it should be, how best to combat stress, isolation, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, addictions, exhaustion, and disillusionment.
Participation in this survey is voluntary and anonymous. It is hoped that a wide range of individuals from the humanitarian, development, and journalism sectors will respond so that the findings can better inform mental-health support across the industry.
To participate in the survey, please click here.
The Mind Field is a video therapy service for humanitarian workers and journalists in the field. All therapists are former aid workers and journalists themselves who speak a wide variety of languages including English, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, French, German, Hindi, and Mandarin. Learn more about Mind Field at www.themindfield.world
