COVID-19 Provider Alert: Unaddressed behavioral health conditions for healthcare and public health workforce

Hello,

The COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group has been issuing regular situation reports and monthly forecasts on the behavioral health impacts to Washingtonians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was mid-March 2020 when many people started to experience major changes to daily life, both personally and professionally. There’s concern for potential unaddressed behavioral health conditions in the healthcare and public health workforce.

Healthcare and public health workers are highly susceptible to the work and traumatic stressors related to pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group developed the COVID-19 provider alert regarding unaddressed behavioral health conditions for healthcare and public health workforce, which highlights the importance of taking an in-depth mental health assessment and practicing resilience to reduce compassion fatigue, burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and stress. The alert also provides recommendations and resources on building resilience, mental and emotional well-being, and self-care.

Please share this alert or similar information with your healthcare, behavioral health, and public health networks to raise awareness of these behavioral health considerations.

Mary Megliola Franzen, MPH
Pronouns: she/her
COVID-19 Behavioral Health Assessment Manager
Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response
Washington State Department of Health
mary.franzen@doh.wa.gov
www.doh.wa.gov