Permitted To Pause
We are in this together!
Follow on Instagram @permittedtopause
and Twitter @Permitted2Pause
and Twitter @Permitted2Pause
NEWS:
For many excellent resources around Covid Wellbeing, and so many more areas of support for healthcare workers at all times, see The NHS Pratitioner Health Website.
Providing a wealth of useful information, advice, contacts, webinars, podcasts, and more, there is help out there for everyone.
26th May 2020: Take a look at this latest guidance-we must look now and beyond to maintain this
"Staff Wellbeing during Covid-19: a structured approach for healthcare organisations" download from lindadykes.org/covid19
“Covid Fatigue”: Read this BMJ blog by Dr Clare Gerada (Medical Director of NHS Practitioner Health and Chair Doctors In Distress (registered charity) “and Dr Caroline Walker (Psychiatrist and therapist at NHS Practitioner Health and Founder of The Joyful Doctor) describing what we have without doubt all been feeling, wherever we have been placed during this pandemic:
https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/05/04/covid-fatigue-is-taking-an-enormous-toll-on-healthcare-workers/
5th May: Watch this 30 minute discussion and Q&A by Dr Clare Gerada, hosted by Adam Kay (of This Is Going To Hurt fame) on the mental health of NHS staff at this time. It brings insight, understanding, and support, and helping to normalise the anxieties and worries that exist now and always-talking really is the best therapy:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KJQ6SOBnnlE
27th April 2020: With wellbeing events TODAY and everyday, visit the NHS Practitioner Health Events Page for a calendar of upcoming wellbeing events which includes webinars, meetings, podcasts and more, to support you through covid.
A study you can take part in now: Psychological Impact of Covid on healthcare professionals
Co-VIDA: A Digital wellbeing tool to assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals
A group of researchers comprising consultant psychiatrists and psychologists from several London hospitals and research institutes have designed an online questionnaire specifically looking to understand the psychological impact experienced by health workers in the NHS, care/nursing homes and private sector during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is anonymous, and confidential, and takes 10-20 minutes to complete.
NHS Staff Offers Click the link to see all the great offers and discounts available to you through the kind support from a wide range of companies.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For many excellent resources around Covid Wellbeing, and so many more areas of support for healthcare workers at all times, see The NHS Pratitioner Health Website.
Providing a wealth of useful information, advice, contacts, webinars, podcasts, and more, there is help out there for everyone.
26th May 2020: Take a look at this latest guidance-we must look now and beyond to maintain this
"Staff Wellbeing during Covid-19: a structured approach for healthcare organisations" download from lindadykes.org/covid19
“Covid Fatigue”: Read this BMJ blog by Dr Clare Gerada (Medical Director of NHS Practitioner Health and Chair Doctors In Distress (registered charity) “and Dr Caroline Walker (Psychiatrist and therapist at NHS Practitioner Health and Founder of The Joyful Doctor) describing what we have without doubt all been feeling, wherever we have been placed during this pandemic:
https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/05/04/covid-fatigue-is-taking-an-enormous-toll-on-healthcare-workers/
5th May: Watch this 30 minute discussion and Q&A by Dr Clare Gerada, hosted by Adam Kay (of This Is Going To Hurt fame) on the mental health of NHS staff at this time. It brings insight, understanding, and support, and helping to normalise the anxieties and worries that exist now and always-talking really is the best therapy:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KJQ6SOBnnlE
27th April 2020: With wellbeing events TODAY and everyday, visit the NHS Practitioner Health Events Page for a calendar of upcoming wellbeing events which includes webinars, meetings, podcasts and more, to support you through covid.
A study you can take part in now: Psychological Impact of Covid on healthcare professionals
Co-VIDA: A Digital wellbeing tool to assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals
A group of researchers comprising consultant psychiatrists and psychologists from several London hospitals and research institutes have designed an online questionnaire specifically looking to understand the psychological impact experienced by health workers in the NHS, care/nursing homes and private sector during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is anonymous, and confidential, and takes 10-20 minutes to complete.
NHS Staff Offers Click the link to see all the great offers and discounts available to you through the kind support from a wide range of companies.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Never in our time have we seen a viral pandemic strike our country, and our healthcare system, with such devastation. And never before have we needed to find, give, and receive support for one another, our patients, their families, and our own loved ones.
Our beloved NHS, and the forever devoted staff who have kept it going for so long, have been tested beyond limits we ever knew. And the welbeing of staff has become paramount, now more than ever, as continuing to fight this battle against Covid-19 is taking its toll. Physical and mental health is being highly challenged in many ways, and you healthcare workers, renowned for battling on selflessly despite exhaustion, dehydration, and emotional fragility, need reminding that you are Permitted To Pause..
As the nation applauds you every Thursday evening at 8pm, this countrywide hug for the heroes on the frontline, and everywhere else in our hospitals, GP practices, care homes, communities, is a reminder that you are valued and respected every single day.
And long may the support continue-it cannot just be for now, in the pandemic crisis, but for always. It MUST be recognised that the impact of covid will resonate for a long time to come, and the support in all its forms, which has been kickstarted during this crisis, should continue indefinitely.
Long term support for the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers must continue to be a priority, and we must also remove the unspoken stigma and taboo attached to seeking help, whatever our role in healthcare provision.
You may be away from your loved ones at this time, and working in healthcare through the lockdown may have created a barrier for you to be around or close to even your immediate household. These have been the most testing of times, and it is recognised that this may have overwheming feelings for you. There is support for everyone. Don't be afraid to reach out.
Support for you:
Find whatever it is you need to help you through these times, even if it's a few minutes in your working day to close your eyes and hear yourself breathe.
Most places of work have provided their own local support networks, helplines, havens-see what your workplace has set up, and make use of it. No obligation, no stigma attached. If you need it, reach out for it.
Here are a few links you may find helpful:
NHS Covid-19 Mental Health Hotline for NHS staff, open 7am to 11pm every day for free advice and support:
PHONE 0300 131 7000 or TEXT: FRONTLINE to 85258
Shapes Toolkit is an excellent resource for managers and their teams to help them "go from stressed and overwhelmed to calm and productive". With many resources incuding podcasts and reading lists, this is really worth a visit. And sign up to access their free and very useful
Covid-19 Wellbeing Toolkit
Medic Footprints provides a great source for support from many services intended specifically for doctors and other healthcare workers. Their Wellbeing During Covid section has a number of very good resources, and
Coronavirus Wellbeing Webinars and suggestions for apps and articles that will be sure to help you through.
Wellbeing Support services include:
NHS Practitioner Health Programme
The Joyful Doctor
https://www.rcn.org.uk/covid-19#supporting%20you
Beat Covid
Ten Percent Happier
Heroes
BMA Wellbeing Support Services
NHS Every Mind Matters: 10 Tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus
Life coaching by Emma Byers: https://www.emmabyers.co.uk/ Emma is also supporting NHS healthcare workers during coronavirus
Our beloved NHS, and the forever devoted staff who have kept it going for so long, have been tested beyond limits we ever knew. And the welbeing of staff has become paramount, now more than ever, as continuing to fight this battle against Covid-19 is taking its toll. Physical and mental health is being highly challenged in many ways, and you healthcare workers, renowned for battling on selflessly despite exhaustion, dehydration, and emotional fragility, need reminding that you are Permitted To Pause..
As the nation applauds you every Thursday evening at 8pm, this countrywide hug for the heroes on the frontline, and everywhere else in our hospitals, GP practices, care homes, communities, is a reminder that you are valued and respected every single day.
And long may the support continue-it cannot just be for now, in the pandemic crisis, but for always. It MUST be recognised that the impact of covid will resonate for a long time to come, and the support in all its forms, which has been kickstarted during this crisis, should continue indefinitely.
Long term support for the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers must continue to be a priority, and we must also remove the unspoken stigma and taboo attached to seeking help, whatever our role in healthcare provision.
You may be away from your loved ones at this time, and working in healthcare through the lockdown may have created a barrier for you to be around or close to even your immediate household. These have been the most testing of times, and it is recognised that this may have overwheming feelings for you. There is support for everyone. Don't be afraid to reach out.
Support for you:
Find whatever it is you need to help you through these times, even if it's a few minutes in your working day to close your eyes and hear yourself breathe.
Most places of work have provided their own local support networks, helplines, havens-see what your workplace has set up, and make use of it. No obligation, no stigma attached. If you need it, reach out for it.
Here are a few links you may find helpful:
NHS Covid-19 Mental Health Hotline for NHS staff, open 7am to 11pm every day for free advice and support:
PHONE 0300 131 7000 or TEXT: FRONTLINE to 85258
Shapes Toolkit is an excellent resource for managers and their teams to help them "go from stressed and overwhelmed to calm and productive". With many resources incuding podcasts and reading lists, this is really worth a visit. And sign up to access their free and very useful
Covid-19 Wellbeing Toolkit
Medic Footprints provides a great source for support from many services intended specifically for doctors and other healthcare workers. Their Wellbeing During Covid section has a number of very good resources, and
Coronavirus Wellbeing Webinars and suggestions for apps and articles that will be sure to help you through.
Wellbeing Support services include:
NHS Practitioner Health Programme
The Joyful Doctor
https://www.rcn.org.uk/covid-19#supporting%20you
Beat Covid
Ten Percent Happier
Heroes
BMA Wellbeing Support Services
NHS Every Mind Matters: 10 Tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus
Life coaching by Emma Byers: https://www.emmabyers.co.uk/ Emma is also supporting NHS healthcare workers during coronavirus