Mental Health Needs of Health Care Workers—Thriveworks Dover, DE (Kent County)
The coronavirus pandemic has swept the globe, and a global movement has risen to oppose it. Everyone has a role to play, from staying home to supporting local businesses to wearing a mask when you do go out. Quarantine and social distancing undoubtedly affect our mental health. But what about the people who can’t stay at home because they’re busy saving lives?
Health care workers have always been brave, selfless, essential members of society. With the outbreak of COVID-19, their sacrifice has only grown. Their skills are saving lives every minute of the day.
Thriveworks Dover wants to take this time to say a huge thank you to all the healthcare workers in Dover, DE. Putting your life at risk every day to help those who are struggling is amazing enough, but to do it with the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic is superhuman.
It’s also bound to take a toll on your mental health. With your patients suffering from coronavirus, it can be hard to remember to take care of yourself. Thriveworks Dover, DE hopes to be an outlet for you to do so.
If you are a health care worker feeling the strain of the virus, we are here for you. Our counselors in Kent County offer online counseling so you can receive the mental health support you deserve from your home (or break room or car!). You give so much to our Dover community, it’s time we give a little back.
To schedule an online counseling appointment or to ask any questions, call us at (302) 246-5527.
What Are the Mental Health Needs for Health Care Workers?
Mental health is something that we live with every second of every day. It exists right alongside breathing, digesting food, and pumping blood. Like our bodies, our mental health needs to be fed with proper nutrients. Some nutrients are universal- social connections, sleep, and passion, among others. Some are unique and specific to individuals. So, mental health needs will vary from situation to situation and person to person. Thriveworks Dover structures our online therapy sessions so it is individualized to your needs and wants.
As a health care worker, you’re probably feeling the extra pressure of the coronavirus. Thriveworks Dover can help you cope with:
- Stress of long hours and the multitude of patients
- Overwhelmed by the amount of work to do
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Strained family relationships
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Feeling scattered and unrooted, like you lost your sense of self
With the amount of work health care workers do for our community, there is bound to be more stresses on your mental health. Please take some time today to take care of you; you deserve it.
Why is Mental Health Important?
Mental health is inextricably linked to physical health. It can be hard in the fast-paced, hectic life of a health care worker to slow down enough to take care of your mental health but doing so can have immense benefits.
So, what is mental health? There are many caveats to it, but how does it apply to being a healthcare worker, especially during coronavirus? Our Dover, DE counselors have found that health care workers often benefit from:
- Optimistic outlook (while keeping reality in check)
- Stable sense of self; self-worth rooted outside of your job
- Strong self-care habits
- Strong support system
- Laughter! Laughing is an often overlooked but positive tool in improving both mental and physical health.
- Positive thoughts about yourself and the world.
It can be hard to practice those while fighting a pandemic; it might even feel selfish. Thriveworks Dover’s goal is not to take your focus away from doing your job or minimize its impact. We want to help you do your job to the best of your ability while also taking care of yourself.
Good mental health corresponds with:
- Better sleep
- More concentration
- Better decision-making abilities
- Better digestion
- Wider openness to new ideas
Negative emotions are not necessarily a bad thing. In many situations, they are necessary to make it through a difficult situation. Again, Thriveworks Dover doesn’t want to minimize the stress and hardships of being a healthcare worker during the coronavirus outbreak. We want to help you maintain an underlying sense of self and positivity so you can ride those negative emotions out and come out stronger.
If you are a healthcare worker and have any questions about the services Thriveworks Dover offers, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We have online counseling appointments available now. To schedule, call (302) 246-5527 Thank you for all you’re giving to our community.
