According to an April article in Healthcare Dive, medical workers are saying they need more mental health services, but aren’t getting them.
According to the article, “the latest polling adds to a pile of research on healthcare workers’ struggles with pandemic-induced burnout. It’s taking a toll on their mental health, especially among such workers who often feel stigmatized when seeking treatment. The stress from COVID-19 has been particularly hard on female providers and those in critical care and infectious disease specialties.”
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, has infected more than 31 million individuals and led to more than 560,000 deaths in the United States alone. Over the past year, hospitals and healthcare facilities have scrambled to meet the demand and accommodate the surge of new patients infected with COVID-19.
A survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Washington Post found that 60% of frontline healthcare workers said the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected their mental health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a list of recommendations for healthcare workers and first responders to build resilience and manage stress during this challenging time. The tips include:
- Communicating with coworkers and supervisors about job-related stress.
- Asking about mental health resources in your workplace.
- Recognizing that you are performing a crucial role in the pandemic and offering self-compassion and acknowledgement that you are doing the best you can.
- Maintaining a daily routine and consistent schedule when possible.
- Making time to eat healthy meals, exercise and get adequate sleep.
- Taking breaks from watching the news, reading social media posts and talking about the pandemic.
- Practicing mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, yoga and mindful breathing.
For a complete list of the CDC recommendations for healthcare workers, visit this link.
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