Empathy is the Antidote (Ep 44)

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we are diving into the impact of COVID-19 on mental health staff at hospitals. Sheila and Ben are Licensed Clinical Social Workers who have been on the front lines. They share their experiences and insights learned from a roller coaster of year in a pandemic including the collective trauma of isolation, uncertainty, and crisis. They also share their beacons of hope that are rooted in empathy. 

We encourage you to take care of your mental wellness. The best resources are those that are local to you. Here are some links to organizations or hubs to gain more education and support for your mental health.

National Alliance of Mental Illness that has chapters across the country

Palo Alto University’s collection of Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and South Asian Student Resources

Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic (NIMH)

Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger or go to the nearest emergency room.

The Lifeline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lifeline connects callers to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889.

The Crisis Text hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the U.S. The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, connecting them with a crisis counselor who can provide support and information.

Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1 or text to 838255

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Music in this episode: “Back to Me” by Tab and Anitek used under Creative Commons.