Why does it feel so difficult to take the time we need when you're a healthcare worker? Taking time off, for a vacation, a family event or even just a day of rest can feel impossible. On this episode of It's a Code You! we will talk about why healthcare workers feel like taking time off is a struggle and how to take the time you need to replenish and refresh.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback please reach out to us at dhbhs.media@hitchcock.org

Sources:
https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-ceric/dir-record/research-blog/2358/nurses-need-care-too-how-curbing-self-sacrifice-can-prevent-burnouts
https://camillestyles.com/wellness/vacation-guilt/
https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/what-is-happening-to-our-professional-identity/
https://edhub.ama-assn.org/steps-forward/module/2820183
https://www.healthecareers.com/career-resources/nursing-news-and-updates/why-nurses-should-use-all-of-their-pto-days
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/health-worker-wellbeing-advisory.pdf
https://nam.edu/perspectives/a-path-to-improved-health-care-worker-well-being-lessons-from-the-covid-19-pandemic/
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/03/30/how-americans-view-their-jobs/

On this episode of, It's a Code You!, we are going to talk about self-comparison. We've all done it. You see someone else's relationship or house or vacation and you start thinking about how you measure up. The problem is that it can take a toll on your mental health and self-esteem. We'll talk about the theory behind it and how you can stop doing it.

If you have questions, concerns or feedback please reach out to us at dhbhs.media@hitchcock.org

On this episode of, It's a Code You!, we are going to be talking about the holistic view of mental health. When we, as therapists, work with people, we look at the person in their environment. We take into account everything about their world and how that affects their mental health. That's what we are going to be talking about today.

If you have any questions or comments, please reach out at dhbhs.media@hitchcock.org

Sources
1. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/living-with/mental-health.html
2. https://theconversation.com/traditional-medicines-must-be-integrated-into-health-care-for-culturally-diverse-groups-114980
3. https://socialwork.columbia.edu/news/social-workers-vital-force-addressing-mental-health
4. https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=fFnsRHX-4HE%3d&portalid=0
5. https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/NASW-Practice-Standards-Guidelines/NASW-Standards-for-Clinical-Social-Work-in-Social-Work-Practice#:~:text=It%20centers%20on%20a%20holistic,a%20state%2Dregulated%20professional%20practice.
6. https://socialwork.tulane.edu/blog/holistic-approach-in-social-work/
7. https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/field placement/An_Introduction_to_Use_of_Self_in_Field_Placement/
8. https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-holistic-medicine
9. https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution

In this episode of, It's a Code You!, we will be talking about simple effective self-care strategies you can use as a healthcare worker when time is scarce. If you're feeling burnt out, overwhelmed or just in need of a moment of peace, but all you have is a moment or two, this episode is for you.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback please reach out to us at dhbhs.media@hitchcock.org.

Resources:

If you’re looking for additional support, here are some resources:
• Apps for Mindfulness & Stress Management: Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, 10% Happier
• Wellness Programs: Check if your hospital or workplace offers employee wellness programs or mental health resources
• Hotlines for Support: If you’re struggling, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the Physician Support Line at 1-888-409-0141
• Books on Self-Care: "The Resilient Practitioner" by Thomas Skovholt, and "Self-Compassion" by Dr. Kristin Neff
• Online Communities: Joining online support groups for healthcare workers, such as The Happy MD or Clinician Well-being Collaborative, can provide a sense of belonging and shared strategies for coping.

Hello and welcome to It’s a Code You! For May and June, we are focusing on Mental Health Awareness, as May is Mental Health Awareness Month. For this episode, we are going to be looking at the medication side of mental health. Joining us today is Casey Williams, Casey Williams is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who has been specializing in psychiatry since 2016. She has worked in a number of different environments from inpatient psychiatry, outpatient, medical/psychiatry and has practiced in treating individuals across the entire lifespan. She currently works on our DHBHS team doing medication management for our employees, and she also works on the Lebanon campus doing psychiatric consults in emergency medicine as well. Her specific clinical interest is ADHD.

In this episode of It's a Code You!, we are going to be talking about therapy. If you've never been to therapy but you're wondering what it's like, or maybe you're preparing for your first therapy appointment, this episode is for you. We'll talk about general mental health information and give you an idea of what to expect during your first session, as well as things you should keep in mind as you meet your new therapist and build a relationship.

If you have any questions, feedback or concerns please reach out to us at dhbhs.media@hitchcock.org

Sources:

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/what-is-mental-health/facts

https://www.dulyhealthandcare.com/health-topic/debunking-8-myths-about-seeking-mental-health-therapy

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-right-mindset/202005/10-common-myths-about-therapy

https://cdclr.hdfs.vt.edu/faq-items/ive-never-been-to-therapy-or-counseling-before-what-should-i-expect-for-the-first-appointment/

https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/psychotherapy-professionals

In closing out our theme of Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World for March and April, on this episode of It's a Code You! we will talk about how you can find some work-life balance if you're a healthcare worker. Healthcare is a high-stress environment, and without balance, you can feel burned out and overly stressed. We'll give you some real actionable ways to gain some balance.

If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please reach out to us at dhbhs.media@hitchcock.org.

Sources:
How to Create a Positive Work-Life Balance for Healthcare Workers https://hrforhealth.com/blog/work-life-balance#:~:text=Regular%20breaks%20and%20adequate%20time,off%2Dhours%20helps%20prevent%20burnout.
https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-022-01831-7
https://www.healthcare-management-degree.net/list-articles/five-ways-healthcare-workers-can-maintain-a-healthy-work-life-balance/
https://ldnetwork.org/blog/the-importance-of-positive-work-life-balance-for-healthcare-professionals/

Content Warning

This episode will cover sensitive content that may be triggering or upsetting. Please be mindful of your own experience and life in deciding if this episode is for you.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, so for the first episode in April on It's a Code You!, we will be reposting an episode from last April where we will go in-depth in talking about how you can reduce the risk of childhood sexual abuse. Over 90% of children who are sexually abused are abused by someone their parents know and trust. There are ways that you can be more aware, speak up when something makes you uncomfortable, and even follow guidelines for community and school activities that can help to reduce risk.

Resources:

National Sexual Violence Resource Center www.nsvrc.org