A study assessed the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 331 Civil Protection volunteers in Italy during the first lockdown, focusing on well-being, depression, distress, coping strategies, and training needs.
Despite a low response rate of 11.5% due to the stigma around expressing distress, over 90% of volunteers reported good mental health and used positive coping strategies, with less experienced volunteers faring better emotionally.
Factors contributing to their well-being included the nature of the emergency, lower rates of contagion in their area, and a strong sense of community identity, which could inform future training and support for volunteers facing similar crises.