SARASOTA – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and according to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation the mental health outcomes of health care providers working in China during the coronavirus outbreak, found that front-line workers reported feelings of depression, anxiety, and overall psychological burdens.
“What people need to understand is that day in and day out nurse, health care workers, front-line workers all of these people that are providing essential services need to be protected,” said Deborah Burger.
Further research published in the National Library of Medicine suggests the number of registered nurses in the US is roughly three times the number of physicians and surgeons, making RNs a critically important component of the US health care system.
Burger, president of the National Nurses United, says these nurses are putting their life’s on the line each and every day.
“They are taking an inordinate risk and making themselves available to provide nursing care, medical care, and community services.”
Chief Innovation Officer and Associate Medical Director for WorkCare, Dr. Anthony Harris, says certain mental health programs and facilities have seen an increase of at least 50% since the coronavirus outbreak began in the U.S. in March.
“Those who are the essential workforce have seen their hours increase in terms of demand, and we see that across the board working 12-hour days and 15-hour days and weekends have become an extension of the week,” said Dr. Harris. “So with those increased demands comes increased stress and we’re seeing that in our workforce population.”
Dr. Harris says just like everyone else nurses and front-line workers need to be kind to their minds and remember to breath, practice staying in the present moment, use cognitive-behavioral skills, and most importantly talk to others because you are not alone.