A health care workers mental health crisis line in the age of COVID‐19. Issue 8 (15th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feinstein, Robert E.; Kotara, Sussann; Jones, Barbara; Shanor, Donna; Nemeroff, Charles B.
• Is Part Of: Depression and anxiety. Volume 37:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 822
• Page End: 826
• Publication Date: 2020-07-15
• Subjects: coping -- COVID‐19 mental health response -- crisis intervention hotline -- health care service -- mental health hotline -- problem‐solving; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Depression, Mental -- Periodicals; Depression -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8527005
• DOI: 10.1002/da.23073
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1091-4269

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The COVID‐19 pandemic has brought a health care crisis of unparalleled devastation. A mental health crisis as a second wave has begun to emerge in our front‐line health care workers. Objective: To address these needs, The Healthcare Worker Mental Health COVID‐19 Hotline, based on crisis intervention principles, was developed and launched in 2 weeks. Methods: Upon reflection of why this worked, we decided it might be useful to describe what we now recognize as 13‐steps which led to our success. The process included the following: (1) anticipate mental health needs; (2) use leadership capable of mobilizing the systems and resources; (3) convene a multidisciplinary team; (4) delegate tasks and set timelines; (5) choose a clinical service model; (6) motivate staff as a workforce of volunteers; (7) develop training and educational materials; (8) develop personal, local, and national resources; (9) develop marketing plans; (10) deliver the training; (11) launch a 24 hr/7days per week Healthcare Worker Mental Health COVID‐19 Hotline, and launch follow‐up sessions for staff; (12) structure data collection to determine effectiveness and outcomes; and (13) obtain funding (not required). Discussion: We believe the process we used is specifically useful for others who may want to develop a COVID‐19 hotline services for health care workers and generally useful for the development of other mental health services. Conclusion: We hope that this process may serve as a guide for other heath care systems.