Emotional, spiritual support services available to WVU Medicine staff
As a healthcare provider, it’s normal to feel stressed, frustrated, and even overwhelmed while navigating through your work day, and the risk of encountering these feeling runs much higher during extraordinary events, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
SupportingYOU
SupportingYOU, a multi-disciplinary team within WVU Medicine Children’s, was created more than a year ago to provide peer-to-peer support to any provider who experiences an unexpected or difficult patient situation. SupportingYOU members provide a listening ear and offer additional resources to clinicians who may be struggling in the transition to their new position or dealing with an ethical dilemma, along with helping them navigate through the emotional landscape of the pandemic and other issues.
The SupportingYOU team is comprised of attending physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, residents, nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, dietitians, respiratory therapists, and social workers who are available 24/7, 365 days a year to anyone within WVU Medicine Children's. They are also available for anyone who may encounter a difficult situation while caring for a child outside of WVU Medicine Children’s, for example an ICU provider caring for a teenage trauma patient in the adult ICU or someone in the OR who is operating on an infant.
SupportingYOU is in the beginning phase of recruiting more peer supporters in an effort to expand its services to all WVU Medicine employees at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, said Michael Schwalm, RN, who coordinates the program. In the coming weeks, more information will be sent via e-mail regarding the application process for those who may be interested in joining the team.
Schwalm has also created the, Almost Daily Distraction, a newsletter intended to provide self-care information and light-hearted distraction during this time of high stress.
The SupportingYOU website has been created to provide information about peer support, links to resources, and the FAQ has answers to some commonly asked questions.
Chat with a Chaplain
The WVU Medicine Department of Spiritual Care is offering “Chat with a Chaplain.” An interfaith chaplain is available to employees about work stress and how your work is affecting you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 304-282-5736 (voice, video or text).
As always, employees can contact a chaplain by paging 0590 or calling 74185 for patient care needs or staff support.
Further resources for mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness include Calm, which offers a free resource page with meditations, stories, music, discussions, and more to support your mental and emotional wellness. The Mayo Clinic offers breathing tips for calmness here. Also, a national expert offers Caring for Self and Others in Times of Trouble, a list of tips on emotional and spiritual support.
Facebook support group
A closed-membership, private Facebook group has been created as a support resource for WVU Medicine employees and providers during the pandemic.
This situation is changing day by day and we're all being pushed to our limits. It's important to have each other's backs at any time, but right now it's crucial.
Employees, staff, and providers at any WVU Medicine facility are welcome to join.
Note: This printable, downloadable flyer has summaries of emotional and support services available to WVU Medicine employees.
Watch CONNECT for updates on more emotional and spiritual resources.