DTAC Bulletin

Self-care for Healthcare Professionals and Responders to COVID-19

Healthcare and mental health professionals, first responders, and others on the frontlines of COVID-19 response do intense, sometimes stressful work, even outside of emergencies. In an unprecedented crisis, responders may be at particular risk, and it is even more important they take steps to ensure their physical and mental health. 

Self-care for Healthcare Professionals and Responders to COVID-19

Healthcare and mental health professionals, first responders, and others on the frontlines of COVID-19 response do intense, sometimes stressful work even outside of emergencies. They may need to work long shifts that keep them from time with loved ones and adequate rest. They may witness or hear about suffering or trauma, which over time can take a toll. In an unprecedented crisis, responders may be at particular risk, and it is even more important they take steps to ensure their physical and mental health. The following resources include information about stress management and self-care for responders to COVID-19. Several come from the SAMHSA Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network, which works to build nationwide capacity to provide evidence-based mental illness prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. The MHTTCs have produced a wealth of materials on responding to COVID-19.

Healthcare Professionals: Coping With Stress & Compassion Fatigue This tip sheet details the signs and symptoms of disaster-related distress and compassion fatigue and offers self-care and stress management tips for responders. The tip sheet also includes step-by-step instructions for muscle relaxation and a relaxation breathing technique.

Provider Wellbeing During a Public Health Crisis Sponsored by the Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC, this webinar explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and substance use treatment practitioners. It presents tools to assess distress and wellness, signs of distress and burnout, and strategies to address these conditions. Key information from the full webinar is also provided in a tip sheet.

Supportive Practices for Mental Health Professionals During Pandemic-related Social Distancing In this tip sheet, the South Southwest MHTTC explains the emotional effects that social distancing can have on mental and substance use disorder treatment professionals as they work to continue serving people during a pandemic. Tips are provided for enhancing wellness, balance, and connection for individual practitioners and for supervisors working to support their teams during social distancing.

Healthcare Personnel & First Responders: Cope with Stress and Build Resilience During COVID-19 This web page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dedicated to responders lists symptoms of stress and offers tips on coping and building resilience. Also available in Spanish, the page includes helpline and hotline telephone numbers and links to additional resources for coping with stress, building resilience, and maximizing safety.

Help Improve SAMHSA’s Disaster Services and Products As a subscriber to this newsletter, you are invited to participate in a short, web-based survey to provide SAMHSA DTAC with feedback about your experiences with our products and services. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes. Complete the survey by clicking on this link, or copy and paste the URL https://iqsolutions.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bjYCSJDUQAGi1h3 into your web browser.