Published research tells us during epidemics, the number of people whose mental health is affected tends to be greater than the number of people affected by the infection. This has some significant implications for our workforce managing the impacts of COVID-19.
Head of Psychology, Adjunct Professor Melissa Casey, has shared presentations about the mental health impacts of a pandemic on the healthcare workforce.
Download the presentation to learn more about:
Presented by Head of Psychology, Adjunct Professor Melissa Casey
Presented by Head of Psychology, Adjunct Professor Melissa Casey on 29 April 2020
Presented by Dr Sika Turner, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Presented by Lauren Stapleton, Psychology Discipline Senior
The following links may be helpful and feature material by Associate Professor Craig Hassed from Monash Mindfulness at Monash University:
Keeping Calm and Carrying on during COVID-19
Tips about working with the breath during meditation
With Professor Craig Hassed, and Dr Richard Chambers
How and why it’s good to boost your immunity
Monash Health employees are invited to join Southern Synergy’s weekly Mindfulness Program online every Wednesday from 2:30-3:00pm via Zoom.
Southern Synergy is a Faculty Research Centre within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University.
Using gentle movement and breathing techniques, mindfulness practice can help maintain personal equilibrium as well as supporting an empathetic approach to those around us.
This session may be valuable if you are looking to find stillness in a world in a perpetual state of distraction or manage your responses on a stressful day.
You can join the session through your device with a microphone and camera by using the link: https://monash.zoom.us/j/8537374390
The password is 77258332.
If you have any questions about the sessions, make contact with Southern Synergy by email: southern.synergy@monash.edu
Monash Health has two online learning modules which may be useful for helping improve your understanding of mental health issues and how they can affect you and your team.
Log onto Latte and search for mental health.
R U OK? Day is a reminder to check in on your colleagues and loved ones. Although R U OK? Day comes around once a year, it is important we keep these conversations going. There are a number of resources to help you start these conversations.
Presented by Max Von Sabler, Clinical Psychologist
If you notice the following signs of stress over a period of time:
Please contact a support service such as the EAP or speak with your GP.
People with pre-existing mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Contact your GP or mental health clinician if you have questions.
For crisis support resources, please refer to the list below compiled by Monash Health Social Work.
PDF document
At an employee forum, Monash Health’s Dr Brian Long, clinical neuropsychologist, spoke about the impact of stress on memory and provided advice on how to manage minor memory problems.
Presentation by Dr Brian Long, Clinical Neuropsychologist
The Black Dog Institute and a number of other organisations have released specific coronavirus resources for anxiety, stress and wellbeing, including material for children. Take a look at their useful material and others listed under the Peer support networks; online resources and courses page.