Support for Healthcare Providers

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

★COVID-19: Stress and Coping (CDC)

This article from the CDC provides general tips as well as coping strategies for emergency responders and ways to reduce secondary traumatic stress reactions:

– Acknowledge that secondary traumatic stress can impact anyone helping families after a traumatic event.
– Learn the symptoms including physical (fatigue, illness) and mental (fear, withdrawal, guilt).
– Allow time for you and your family to recover from responding to the pandemic.
– Create a menu of personal self-care activities that you enjoy, such as spending time with friends and family, exercising, or reading a book.
– Take a break from media coverage of COVID-19.
– Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed or concerned that COVID-19 is affecting your ability to care for your family and patients as you did before the outbreak.
– Seek additional information about stress management for first responders from the Disaster Technical Assistance Center (SAMHSA)

★ Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare Personnel during Coronavirus and other Infectious Disease Outbreaks (CSTS)

This article offers suggestions for self-care: Meet Basic Needs, Take Breaks, Connect with Colleagues, Communicate Constructively, Contact Family, Respect Differences, Stay Updated, Limit Media Exposure, Self Check-Ins, Honor Your Service.

★ Managing Health Care Workers’ Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak (National Center for PTSD) 

This article identifies specific stressors, including: the need to employ strict biosecurity measures, risk of disease transmission, multiple medical and personal demands, and stigma. It also covers several stress management tips to employ during work shifts.

★ Caring for Yourself & Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Managing Health Care Workers’ Stress (The Schwartz Center)

Handout: For Mental Health Providers Working with COVID-19 Patients
Handout: Managing Stress Associated with COVID-19
Handout: Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with COVID-19
Handout: Stress First Aid Self Care/Org Support Model

★ CSTS: COVID-19 Pandemic Response Resources (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress)

Wealth of articles and infographics for individuals, families, providers, and community leaders, with resources from national organizations such as the Center for Disease Control, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, World Health Organization, and National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Provider topics include:

Psychological Effects of Quarantine During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What Public Health Leaders Need to Know
Leaders’ Guide to Risk Communication in the Face of Coronavirus and Other Emerging Public Health Threats
Mental Health and Behavioral Guidelines for Preparedness and Response to Coronavirus and other Emerging Infectious Outbreaks
Grief Leadership during COVID-19
Getting Better Sleep During COVID-19: A Guide for Hospital Workers  
Notifying Families After a COVID-19 Death
Supporting Families of Healthcare Workers Exposed to COVID-19
Fight COVID-19 with Better Sleep Health: A Guide for Hospital Workers
Supporting Patients During Quarantine or Isolation
Helping Patients Concerned about Coronavirus: A Guide for Psychiatrists
How Clinicians and Other Healthcare Personnel Can Help Concerned Patients
Supporting Military Families
How Healthcare Personnel Can Take Care of Themselves