A Hidden Second Crisis

While the Covid-19 pandemic, understandably, garners the full attention of the world, it’s important to continue holding space for discussions of healthcare workers’ mental health. It’s a topic I discussed last month in the article Help for the Helpers in which I noted that caring for yourself should even be considered an ethical and professional responsibility since it allows you to continue in your healthcare duties.

That article suggested a menu of eight simple stress management techniques to choose from, including:

1. Get enough sleep
2. Take regular breaks
3. Notice the good things in your life
4. Exercise, even if it’s just a 20 minute walk
5. Eat nutritiously
6. Connect with friends and loved ones
7. Take some time to be alone
8. Talk to someone about any rising stress or signs of depression

These suggestions do not take the place of mental health services, but rather offer some early steps to help manage stress to hopefully avoid more serious escalation of mental distress.

Healthcare Workers at Highest Risk

The World Health Organization cites recent research showing that “frontline health-care workers, faced with heavy workloads, life-or-death decisions, and risk of infection, are particularly affected” by depression and anxiety with rising rates reported.

Even before this crisis, there were notable rates of burnout in healthcare professionals. Now there’s concern of a burnout surge. Lean on the wellness programs offered at your workplace and other mental health supports. Now more than ever we need to take care of each other and ourselves.

Remember, you can count on BioPlus in these tough times, and in the better days ahead.