March 19, 2020
Hello,
Today’s Study Break focuses on resources to help support the emotional well-being of our medical school community as we face the unprecedented and evolving coronavirus pandemic.
My thoughtful assistant, Devan Santora, asked me to start with perhaps the most important message:
Please be kind to yourselves and be kind to each other.
Ours is a very special community, and I am confident that as we face the challenging days ahead, we will be there for each other. This pandemic will bring out the best of our collective humanity.
Say thank you to each other:
*Our front-line healthcare workers are heroes every day.
*Our students—now studying at home— are the future of health care.
*Those keeping the laboratories working– our scientists, technicians, animal care staff– are making sure we can continue the important work of moving science and medicine forward.
*Our security team is quietly helping to keep us all safe.
*Our cleaning crew is particularly important today.
*The medical school couldn’t stay open without the many faculty and staff who are working remotely.
We are surrounded by heroes– Everyone is doing an important job at this critical juncture.
Even as you look out for your colleagues and care for your patients, it’s also OK to think about your own well-being, to take care of yourselves, your families and friends.
Taking care of our emotional well-being will help all of us face the challenges of the day. Now is the time to start thinking about your own well-being. A few tips:
- Take a 10 min. break after a couple of hours to just breathe or take a walk
- Listen to music that is uplifting for you
- Meditate, or just be quiet, for a few moments
- Exercise is a great way to reduce stress
- Remember that you can always reach out to the EAP or other mental health professionals for in-the-moment support.
Below are a series of resources that we hope will be helpful.
For mental health counseling or psychiatric services:
Staff: Employee Assistance Program, 713-500-3327, 24/7 for crisis calls (no cost for EAP visits/tele-counseling and in-person sessions available)
Faculty: Faculty Assistance Program, 713-500-3880, 24/7 for crisis calls (no cost for EAP visits/tele-counseling and in-person sessions available)
Residents and Fellows: 713-500-3327, 24/7 for crisis calls (no cost for EAP visits/tele-counseling and in-person sessions available)
Students: Student Counseling Program and Psychiatric services 713-500-5171 and 24-hour crisis line
The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences has created a new phone line offering services for Staff, Faculty, Residents and Fellows. Call 713-486-COVD (2683) and leave a message. All messages will be received and returned as quickly as possible to schedule appointments or consultations as needed.
Meditation and Mindfulness Tools-You do not need an hour to get relief and re-focused
Not all tools and programs work for each person. A few are listed below.
Articles and tips about coping with teleworking as well as fear and anxiety:
Harvard Health Blog
Coping with coronavirus anxiety
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Coronavirus Anxiety—Helpful Expert Tips and Resources
The Guardian
If coronavirus scares you, read this to take control over your health anxiety
University of Colorado Health
Coronavirus anxiety: Why the outbreak feeds worries and five simple ways to reduce coronavirus anxiety
This document gives some very useful tips on how to cope with enforced teleworking. Full disclosure: My son works for NoRedInk, a San Francisco based company. He lives in Berlin and works remotely. One of his colleagues prepared this document.
We’ve been emphasizing the need for “social distancing” to help slow the pace of this epidemic. The message is right but, I don’t really like the term “social distancing.” We desperately need “physical distancing” but also need to encourage continued social interactions. Stay connected with family and friends and colleagues, even if you are not together. Share good news and special photos and acts of kindness—Beautiful moments of life continue.
Part of our response to the virus is bolstering each other’s spirits. We’ll get through this together. How are you coping during this crisis? Send us your strategies and tips for inclusion in an upcoming Study Break.
I am enormously proud to be part of this community.
Warm regards,
BJS
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