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Credit
Esther Murray's film - Final edited version with audio description and transcript. In copyright. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Esther Murray, Lecturer in Health Psychology, filmed in artist's studio in July 2020.
In the film, Esther Murray discusses her work, the concept of moral injury, and the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals. She reflects on how many health professionals experienced fear, grief, guilt, and anger, especially during the early stages of the pandemic. The lack of adequate PPE, the overwhelming number of patient admissions, and the experience of witnessing death without family presence all contributed to significant trauma. She criticizes the “hero” narrative, noting that it hides the genuine emotional strain and the absence of adequate systemic support.
Esther Murray advocates for psychological supervision for all healthcare professionals, not only for psychologists. She emphasizes the importance of time, space, and compassion to process grief and trauma, and calls for a renewed understanding of convalescence, a slow, reflective recovery that allows rest and healing.
Esther Murray also advocates for cultural change in how emotions and mental health are acknowledged, especially in British society. She calls for early education on emotional resilience and self-care and warns against quick fixes and urges long-term, thoughtful support systems.
Keywords: Public Health, Moral injury, Teamwork, Health inequalities, Fear, Trauma, Education, Depression, Emotions, Psychology