There are few jobs in the world like healthcare work. At its best, there is nothing more rewarding than providing lifesaving care for patients in need. On the other hand, HCPs at every level are exposed to disease, death, and loss. Everyday, you must provide counsel to patients dealing with serious physical conditions and trauma. Even the most hardened veteran HCPs can feel mentally drained, after dealing with healthcare’s physiological demands.
Every HCP goes through similar struggles, and seeking help is the first step to healing. Luckily, there are a number of mental health resources available to HCPs willing to look. Between online services, hotlines, and support groups, the options are seemingly endless. In this article, we will go over the best mental health resources available for HCPs.
The COVID pandemic was a uniquely challenging time for HCPs. Healthcare staff on all levels experienced an unprecedented workload, with facilities being filled to capacity. This left countless HCPs feeling depressed, burned out, and anxious. “The Battle Within” was founded to help the first responders who are still dealing with trauma and anxiety thanks to COVID. In this five day program, you will be given the skills and support network necessary to move forward and continue healing.
As a part of this initiative, we recommend that HCPs consider The Frontline Therapy Network. Healthcare workers can enjoy six free consultations with a certified mental health expert. If you live in one of the 20 states this program is hosted in, then we highly recommend that you give it a look.
Osmosis Nursing Resilience Course
Are you a California-based nurse, looking to strike two birds with one stone? The Osmosis Nursing Resilience Course teaches HCPs how to protect their mental health, while rewarding 3.75 Continuing Education (CE) credits from the California nursing board. The course is remote and self-paced, so HCPs can complete these lessons in between busy work days. By the end of your lessons, you will learn how to determine if you are suffering from stress and burnout, and what you can do to address this healthily.
Anxiety & Depression Association of America
ADAA is one of the most prominent nonprofit membership organizations in all of America. On their official website, HCPs can match with certified therapists, and go over the forms of therapy available to you. The site also provides numerous helpful resources that teach you how to healthily cope with your mental health issues. This content tackles conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and more. Finally, HCPs can learn how to join ADAA’s free peer-to-peer community support groups.
NAM founded the Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience in 2017. In collaboration with 200 organizations, they set out to increase awareness of the dangers of clinical burnout, while educating HCPs and clearing up dangerous misconceptions. Now, the program’s website serves as a valuable compendium of mental healthcare resources. HCPs can search for resources specific to their professions, mental conditions, workplace settings, and more. From medical students to nurse administrators, NAM is dedicated to making mental health support accessible for everyone.
American Holistic Nurses Association
Mental health is not a one-dimensional experience. Your mental wellbeing informs your physical wellbeing and vice versa. For example: chronic stress has proven, tangible links to heart complications. In acknowledgement of this, AHNA seeks to provide a holistic self-care strategy that addresses the physical and mental struggles of stress. Their goal is to equip HCPs with the skills necessary to deal with stress in a healthy and productive manner.
HCPs can avail of numerous free resources, but there are also CEs that cost $8 to $15 (depending on if you are an AHNA member.) These lessons are peer-reviewed, and can be online online learning or in-person lectures. In particular, there is a three-session program that is capped off by a final lesson.
In 2021, the American Nurses Association projected that up to 14 to 20% of all Registered Nurses in the US had a drug or alcohol problem. Substance abuse is sadly a common coping mechanism for workplace stress and anxiety. If left unchecked, it can lead to a host of physical complications. For HCPs looking to kick the habit, the “I Am Sober” app is a good start.
It lets you keep track of your progress, by setting sobriety goals and milestones. You can also connect to virtual support groups, where you can confide in your problems or seek actionable advice. There is both a free version and a premium version that charges $9.99 per month. Though the paid version has exclusive features, the free app is still well worth trying.
The Schwartz Center For Compassionate Healthcare
The Schwartz Center offers free and valuable resources for HCPs looking to learn more about mental health. Their content covers a host of pertinent topics, such as managing stress, caring for your emotional health, dealing with burnout and more. Caring for your mental health is a constant struggle, and The Schwartz Center teaches HCPs how they consistently manage their issues in a healthy and sustainable way. If you become a member, you can avail of additional support and exclusive material.
