As we approached the year anniversary of entering this global COVID-19 pandemic, the RTSO felt that Respiratory Therapists in Ontario may benefit from a few webinars focused on mental health and reflecting on the past year; it’s challenges, and how we’re all dealing with shift (or work) stress. After feedback from our members requesting more mental health supports, we set up these webinars with the aim of moving forward with a renewed and continued resilience in our personal and professional lives. These webinars are meant to add to the toolkit we’ve all inevitably been creating to deal with the stress of working as a frontline worker during a global pandemic.
“Shift Stress” – Vij Richards, Registered Psychotherapist, RN, RP
In early March the RTSO has the privilege of welcoming Vij Richards to speak at our first mental health webinar. Vij focused on learning and utilizing tools for managing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and loss. She highlighted how the brain and body react to certain stressors and explained that by locating and acknowledging that energy we can better understand the stress that we are feeling and carrying with us. She explained how to recognize when you need SELF-CARE – using an ABC approach and used the “hand model” of the brain to show us how we naturally respond to stress. The ABC approach includes Awareness, Balance, and Connection. She also shared three stress management strategies from her book “Shift Stress”, including using the SHIFT acronym, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFTs) and a body scan technique. For more information on these techniques, a recording of Vij’s presentation has been uploaded to the RTSO website. The collective energy and togetherness of the interactive experience Vij provided was very helpful and powerful.
“Managing ME Through These Difficult Times” – Ian Robertson MSW, RSW, Social Worker
We spend so many hours taking care of others, that healthcare professionals can often forget to prioritize their own wellbeing. This is especially true throughout this pandemic as many of us are working long hours, with limited resources, and in environments where burnout is very prevalent. For our second mental health-focused webinar of the month, we welcomed Ian Robertson to discuss how we can take care of ourselves as the pandemic continues. Ian provided some helpful resources including a Self-Compassion Scale, for managing our stress or the collective stress felt by ourselves and our colleagues. Ian’s presentation was well received and gave great insight into the steps we can take to acknowledge and process moments of individual and workplace stress.
We’ve all heard the term “post-traumatic stress” in response to a traumatic event or crisis. As the article Why Post-Traumatic Growth Could Be the Key to Thriving in 2021 states, it could be years until we see the full negative effects of this past year on our physical and mental health, in addition to our changing societal norms and unpredictable economy (Friedlander, 2021). While we reflect on the negative effects this pandemic has had on our mental health and well-being, we can look to the concept of post-traumatic growth as an alternate or additional perspective and opportunity for us to challenge ourselves to move forward in hope. While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is very real, as are the challenges and losses many people have had to overcome during this pandemic, the idea of post-traumatic growth can help us to take something positive from each situation as well. According to this publication, post-traumatic growth can involve improved relationships, more confidence in one’s strengths and ability to manage difficult situations, new life priorities and possibilities, and a greater appreciation of life (Friedlander, 2021). The psychological changes we experience from a traumatic event aren’t all negative, according to research. We may take less for granted, including our human connections and the work that we are given the opportunity to do.
As we enter the next year of this journey, it is my hope that, as a collective group of Respiratory Therapists, we can keep our focus on continued mental wellness and growth. However traumatic this past year has been, both personally and professionally, we have all seen our strength, perseverance and resiliency and must continue to support each other as individuals and colleagues and we navigate through these challenging times.
References
Friedlander, J. (2021, January 4). Why post-traumatic growth could be the key to thriving in 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021, from https://www.success.com/why-post-traumatic-growth-could-be-the-key-to-thriving-in-2021/
