Barriers to accessing psychosocial support for humanitarian aid workers: a mixed methods inquiry

International and national humanitarian aid workers were recruited for this study via purposive sampling techniques using social media. Eight interviews and one focus group discussion were carried out (n=13), and a survey disseminated (n=62), to garner a broad range of perspectives on barriers to aid workers seeking out and accessing psychosocial support. A thematic analysis was performed on the transcriptions of the interviews and focus group discussion. The hypothesis was that participants would describe a variety of personal, professional, and environmental obstacles, with 'tough-guy macho culture' and/or 'martyr culture' being the strongest deterrents. Fourteen barriers in total were identified: accessibility; appropriateness; attitude; availability; confidentiality and trust; duty of care; guidance; normalisation; experience; repercussions; self-awareness; self-reliance; stigma; and time. It is recommended that organisations improve the provision of quality, appropriate psychosocial support for staff, and that it is communicated regularly, and they train staff in pinpointing when others are in need of assistance.