Mental Health and Well-being Resources for Healthcare Workers
The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare proudly supports the healthcare workforce in providing high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care across the country and around the world. We are steadfast in our mission to advance compassion for all who give and receive care, as we have been since our founding in 1995.
Those on the front lines are caring for worried and suffering patients and families and working long, stressful hours. Caregivers are at significant risk for psychological distress and in need of crucial emotional support right now.
The Schwartz Center’s mission to put compassion at the heart of healthcare holds true no matter how extraordinary or difficult the circumstances.
Below are some tips and resources we have compiled to help caregivers find information they need to continue supporting each other and caring for themselves. We will continue to update this page with additional information, so please check back.
Some Quick Tips:
REMEMBER SELF-CARE: Take time to monitor your stress levels and bodily needs. Remember to take breaks, exercise and, if possible, get outside. To be able to care for others, you need to take care of yourself.
STAY CONNECTED: Check in regularly with colleagues, family and friends, consult with peers and supervisors. Support each other and seek support as best you can.
PRACTICE COMPASSION: Please know that your commitment to the health and well-being of others is respected and appreciated. Compassion is the driving force that unites us in our collective efforts.
Additional Resources
Preventing and Managing Stress for Health Workers:
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health Emotional PPE Stress First Aid Preventing and Managing Stress Moral Distress and Moral Resilience Psychological Well-being for Health and Care Workers Coping with Stress The Center for Healthy Minds The Healthy Minds App TED Talks on BurnoutEmergency Response Resources for Health Workers:
Disaster Distress Helpline Disaster Response for Tornadoes and Severe Storms Disaster Response for Incidents of Mass Violence Managing Stress in Crisis Response Professions Tips For Emergency Responders Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Emotional Distress Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters Taking Care of Your Emotional Health after a Disaster Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic EventCOVID-specific Resources for Health Workers:
Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook Sustaining Yourself During the Coronavirus Crisis Stress Management in Mortuary and Death Care Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic Helping Teens Manage COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges Managing the Stress of Holiday Gatherings During COVID-19 Supporting Patients During Quarantine or Isolation The Psychological Impact of Quarantine and How to Reduce It: Rapid Review of the Evidence COVID-Ready Communication Skills Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease Death, Grief, and Funerals in the COVID ageResources for Health Leaders:
Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events Pandemics: Health Care Emergencies Predicting Community Resilience After a Disaster APA Toolkit for Well-being Ambassadors Improving Physician Well-Being, Restoring Meaning in Medicine Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Report on Physician Burnout Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout: A Systems Approach to Professional Well-Being Resources from the National Academy of Medicine Strengthening the Health Care Workforce: Strategies for Now, Near and Far Sustaining Operations and Preventing Burnout During COVID-19: How Leaders Can Help Strategies for Resiliency of Medical Staff During COVID-19 Recovery and Reintegration for Healthcare Workers Following COVID-19 Surges Strategies for Resiliency of Medical Staff During COVID-19 What Has the Pandemic Revealed About Health Equity and Where Do We Go From Here?Coping with Workplace Violence:
Workforce and Workplace Violence Prevention Tips For Emergency RespondersResources for the Families of Health Workers:
Patient and Family Resources Helping Children Cope With Emergencies Supporting Homebound Children Supporting Your Family During Quarantine or IsolationSchwartz Center’s COVID Response in the Media
- How Compassion Can Help Address Healthcare Worker Burnout
- Health Care Workers Face Mental Health Struggles After Caring For COVID Patients
- 'Forever Altered': Health Care Workers Face Mental Health Struggles After Caring For COVID Patients
- Family Of N.Y. Doctor Who Died By Suicide Aims To Shed Light On Pandemic Mental Health Strain
Wellbeing First for Healthcare Campaign
The Schwartz Center has joined the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare campaign as a founding collaborator. Led by #FirstRespondersFirst and the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, and in collaboration with the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Nurses Foundation, and the American Hospital Association (AHA), this campaign convenes like-minded organizations to provide a road map for institutions to invest in and cultivate environments where their workforce feels valued and supported.
Learn more
The Schwartz Center is hosting a special webinar series to help healthcare workers manage stress – theirs and others' – as we face the ever-changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The series is made possible by the generous support of the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation and by a donation made in memory of Julian and Eunice Cohen.
Five Evidence-Based Actions Leaders Can Take Now to Support the Healthcare Workforce
Why Social Support Matters for Frontline Caregivers Right Now
When Healthcare “Heroes” Need Help: Destigmatizing Mental Illness in the Healthcare Workforce
Grief, Loss and Mourning in the Time of COVID
Leading with Compassion: Supporting Healthcare Workers in a Crisis
Caring for Yourself & Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress
Managing Traumatic Stress: Evidence-Based Guidance for Organizational Leaders
Caring with Compassion: Supporting Patients and Families in a Crisis
Communication in the Age of COVID
We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Heal: Processing Grief through the Written Word
Managing Our Fears and Stress: Strategies to Cultivate Emotional Agility
Help Us Support Caregivers
Supporting caregivers is at the heart of our work. We are introducing new programming and resources to address the challenges they are facing. Please consider giving today and help support the healthcare community.
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