Coping with symptoms of depression, anxiety, addiction and other mental health conditions can feel challenging and frightening. It can be overwhelming when those feelings are compounded by what we are experiencing during this current pandemic. People are removed from their support systems, isolated from friends and loved ones, and fearful of risking exposure to a potentially deadly virus.
鈥淲e鈥檙e doing a lot of problem solving to continue providing groups and fostering skill use with patients as they struggle with the fear, anxiety and isolation caused by this pandemic. It is a very human response to the unprecedented time we are all experiencing right now,鈥� says Salvador Chavez, MS, OTR/L, an occupational therapist for 天博体育鈥檚 Scrivner Center for Mental Health & Addiction Services. 鈥淚n addition to working with patients to provide a safe and therapeutic environment we are supporting one another as employees. We are focusing on what we can control and providing support, resources and education along the way.鈥�
COVID-19 required the mental health and addiction services team to change the way group therapy sessions were run and how inpatient care was provided. The team adjusted to this new way of working and providing care, all the while dealing with many of the same insecurities, uncertainties and feelings as that of their patients.
鈥淎t the monthly all-staff meetings we recognize the staff member of the month and that person gets a quirky, fun gift鈥� shares Laura Tannenwald, senior program therapist for addiction services. 鈥淓veryone who is nominated gets a copy of the written recognition. We鈥檙e working hard to stay connected and keep our 鈥楨ncourage the Heart鈥� culture going.鈥�
鈥淓very day, we meet to review safety protocols and determine which areas of programming and staffing needs help,鈥� adds Laura. 鈥淲e show appreciation to those who have really stepped up during this time. We encourage self-care for the staff and we suggest leaving your workspace for lunches and breaks. One day everyone got a Kit Kat candy bar. It wasn鈥檛 long before everyone was singing the jingle - 鈥榞ive me a break, give me a break, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar!鈥� It brought a little levity to the current situation and helped the team cope.鈥�
鈥淥ne of our biggest challenges as a team was providing mental health services while dealing with our own personal worries about what was happening in the world,鈥� explains Salvador. 鈥淚 came into the break room one day and there was a sign that just said 鈥楬i Friends. Thank you for everything you are doing.鈥� It really made my day. It鈥檚 the little check-in鈥檚 with coworkers that have really helped. My advice is to stay connected, keep a routine, and recognize that you are not alone in the worry.鈥�
He adds, 鈥淭he work is not easy and caring for patients with a high level of acuity is challenging. Right now, our patients need our services more than ever. Seeing an anxious patient pace the unit and then finally relax while she works with watercolor, or the patient with psychosis who has a moment of clarity when listening to music, or even the patient who finally gets out of bed to do stretches that makes it all worth it for me. 天博体育 has always been here for the community and that鈥檚 why I love the work I do. My patients inspire me. I feel fortunate to work with such knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated staff and to have the opportunity to be a comforting presence for my patients.鈥�
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