Help-seeking attitudes and behaviours among humanitarian aid workers

Abstract Due to the nature of their work and operating environments, humanitarian aid workers experience higher rates psychological distress, burnout mental health conditions than other emergency service worker populations. Fourteen international were interviewed examine whether they seek help from others in context work-related specifically, attitudes behaviors regarding personal help-seeking at such times, preferred sources support factors that enable or constrain effective help-seeking. Thematic analysis data derived five superordinate themes: (1) cultural aspects help-seeking; (2) risks with formal, internal support; (3) lack shared understanding context; (4) self-censoring withdrawal; (5) role maturity. There is high, principle, for but its use highly selective. Work colleagues are regarded as most trusted source high stress periods, while barriers exist family friends mean rarely sought out times. Trust confidentiality concerns limit agency supports psychosocial services. External services often found be unsatisfactory. These findings can organisations address stigma perceptions commonly associated help-seeking, particularly among early career practitioners, normalise a form occupational self-care.