It's a Code You! Mental Health Support for Those Working in Healthcare

In this episode of It's a Code You!, we're going to be talking about how to get through the holidays when you're working in healthcare. The holidays themselves can be a stressful time. There are financial stressors, requests for time commitments that can cause you to feel spread thin and just the over all expectations that you may feel from family and friends. When you factor in things like having to work holidays or there being less of a workforce due to time off, the holidays can feel anything but festive. So we'll talk about what are some of the things that might make working in healthcare more stressful during the holidays. And then we will talk about some ways that you can try to find some balance and joy amidst the chaos. Above all, we want to validate those feelings of overwhelm and stress.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments please contact us at [email protected]

November is National Family Caregivers Month. So for today's episode we are going to talk about being a caregiver for a loved one with dementia. Being a caregiver is so complicated, there can be so many layers to it. Not only do you step into a role of caretaking for, usually an older adult, but you've likely had roles with this person aside from being a caretaker like daughter, son, sibling, grandchild. Relationships also have their own story, both good and bad, prior to stepping into a role as a caregiver, which can make it more complicated. And maybe you have a family you're also caring for, a full-time job, and just other responsibilities. So we're very excited to have our guest here today to help us dive into some of the issues that surround those who are caregivers for loved ones with dementia. Our guest, Meredith Kolodze Meredith Kolodze, DSW, LICSW, is a dedicated Social Worker with over 15 years of experience in the field. Meredith has devoted her career to making a positive impact on the lives of older adults. As a Program Manager at NAMI NH, she specializes in providing essential training, education, and support to older adults and their families, focusing on mental health awareness and care.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact us at [email protected]

Resources:

Book: The 36 Hour Day by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins

Book: Travelers to Unimaginable Lands by Dasha Kiper

On this episode of It's a Code You!, we are going to be speaking with Angie Raymond Leduc, who is the Manager of the Injury Prevention Center within Population Health at Dartmouth Health. She is also a NAMI NH authorized Connect Suicide Prevention and Postvention Trainer.

We will talk about Dartmouth's efforts and initiatives in suicide prevention, as well as general suicide prevention takeaways that anyone can use to support someone who is having thoughts of ending their life.

Resources:

DH Employee support: https://careers.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/Employee%20Wellness%20Mental%20Health%20Resources.pdf

NAMI NH support groups: https://www.naminh.org/support-groups/

Warning Signs Poster: Recognize the Warning Signs Poster NH 2024 Rev4

Today we're talking about something that seems really simple but a lot of folks struggle with it—but absolutely foundational to good mental health and great relationships: knowing how you feel. Have you ever said "I'm fine" when you're anything but? Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you couldn't even begin to explain what was going on inside you? That's not just frustrating—it can deeply affect the way we communicate, make decisions, and relate to the people we care about most. So today, we'll explore: 1. What it really means to identify your emotions 2. Why this skill is so important for communication 3. How emotional awareness impacts your relationships 4. And practical ways you can build this skill—no matter where you're starting from

Resources:

Feelings Wheel for Adults

www.calm.com/blog/the-feelings-wheel

Sources:

• Barrett, L. F. (2017). How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain, https://jyotsnabooks.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/how-emotions-are-made-the-secret-life-of-the-brain.pdf • https://hbr.org/2014/06/manage-a-difficult-conversation-with-emotional-intelligence • https://medium.com/%40johnnysbooksummaries/summary-of-emotional-intelligence-why-it-can-matter-more-than-iq-by-daniel-goleman-ce6d3fdf4254 • https://mindfulness.com/mindful-living/name-it-to-tame-it • https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/Putting-Feelings-Into-Words-Produces-8047 • https://positivepsychology.com/understanding-emotions/ • https://thefeelingswheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/willcox1982_feelingswheel.pdf • https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/dr-lisa-feldman-barrett-how-to-understand-emotions • https://www.mentalhealthwellnessmhw.com/blog/from-overwhelm-to-control-the-name-it-to-tame-it-method • https://www.nami.org/anxiety-disorders/critical-things-to-know-about-emotions-for-mental-health-and-healing/ • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meaningfull/202310/got-feelings-you-cant-explain-youre-not-alone • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindfulness-insights/202312/why-its-vital-to-identify-process-and-express-your-emotions • https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229062501_Knowing_what_you%27re_feeling_and_knowing_what_to_do_about_it_Mapping_the_relation_between_emotion_differentiation_and_emotion_regulation?utm_source=chatgpt.com • https://www.unh.edu/pacs/recognizing-emotions

Often if we are feeling unhappy or unsure in a relationship it can be because our needs aren't being met. But what if you don't know what your needs are? Something that's paramount to understanding what you, as an individual, needs is your relationship with yourself. In this episode of It's a Code You!, we will help you understand how to cultivate your relationship with yourself, how to self-reflect and not only identify your needs but effectively communicate them to others.

Sources:

https://psychcentral.com/blog/weightless/2015/08/10-simple-questions-to-help-you-identify-or-clarify-your-needs#1 https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt#what-it-isnt https://royallifecenters.com/how-to-find-and-meet-your-needs/ https://www.calm.com/blog/how-to-communicate-your-needs-in-a-relationship https://positivepsychology.com/self-actualization/ https://bigthink.com/life/self-actualization-gene/

On this episode of, It's a Code You!, we will be talking about the essential, but often overlooked, tool in our mental health toolkits: savoring. The world of healthcare can be fast-paced, stressful and exhausting. Savoring small wins and celebrating successes can lead to big gains in our well-being and mental health.

If you have questions, comments or feedback please reach out to us at [email protected]

Sources • https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/what-is-savoring.html • https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/10_steps_to_savoring_the_good_things_in_life • https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_slow_down_and_savor_the_holidays • https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.791040/full • https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-make-the-good-times-last/ • https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2024/06/positive-emotion-skills-burnout-health-care-workers/#:~:text=Published%20in%20PLOS%20ONE%2C%20the,attainable%20goals%20and%20self%2Dcompassion. • https://positivepsychology.com/savoring/ • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/chronically-me/202306/the-art-of-savoring • https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02699931.2021.1959302 • https://workingoncalm.com/savoring-can-build-resilience/

Why does it feel so difficult to take the time we need when you're a healthcare worker? Taking time off, for a vacation, a family event or even just a day of rest can feel impossible. On this episode of It's a Code You! we will talk about why healthcare workers feel like taking time off is a struggle and how to take the time you need to replenish and refresh.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback please reach out to us at [email protected]

Sources: https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-ceric/dir-record/research-blog/2358/nurses-need-care-too-how-curbing-self-sacrifice-can-prevent-burnouts https://camillestyles.com/wellness/vacation-guilt/ https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/what-is-happening-to-our-professional-identity/ https://edhub.ama-assn.org/steps-forward/module/2820183 https://www.healthecareers.com/career-resources/nursing-news-and-updates/why-nurses-should-use-all-of-their-pto-days https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/health-worker-wellbeing-advisory.pdf https://nam.edu/perspectives/a-path-to-improved-health-care-worker-well-being-lessons-from-the-covid-19-pandemic/ https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/03/30/how-americans-view-their-jobs/

On this episode of, It's a Code You!, we are going to talk about self-comparison. We've all done it. You see someone else's relationship or house or vacation and you start thinking about how you measure up. The problem is that it can take a toll on your mental health and self-esteem. We'll talk about the theory behind it and how you can stop doing it.

If you have questions, concerns or feedback please reach out to us at [email protected]

On this episode of, It's a Code You!, we are going to be talking about the holistic view of mental health. When we, as therapists, work with people, we look at the person in their environment. We take into account everything about their world and how that affects their mental health. That's what we are going to be talking about today.

If you have any questions or comments, please reach out at [email protected]

Sources 1. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/living-with/mental-health.html 2. https://theconversation.com/traditional-medicines-must-be-integrated-into-health-care-for-culturally-diverse-groups-114980 3. https://socialwork.columbia.edu/news/social-workers-vital-force-addressing-mental-health 4. https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=fFnsRHX-4HE%3d&portalid=0 5. https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/NASW-Practice-Standards-Guidelines/NASW-Standards-for-Clinical-Social-Work-in-Social-Work-Practice#:~:text=It%20centers%20on%20a%20holistic,a%20state%2Dregulated%20professional%20practice. 6. https://socialwork.tulane.edu/blog/holistic-approach-in-social-work/ 7. https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/field placement/An_Introduction_to_Use_of_Self_in_Field_Placement/ 8. https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-holistic-medicine 9. https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution

In this episode of, It's a Code You!, we will be talking about simple effective self-care strategies you can use as a healthcare worker when time is scarce. If you're feeling burnt out, overwhelmed or just in need of a moment of peace, but all you have is a moment or two, this episode is for you.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback please reach out to us at [email protected].

Resources:

If you're looking for additional support, here are some resources: • Apps for Mindfulness & Stress Management: Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, 10% Happier • Wellness Programs: Check if your hospital or workplace offers employee wellness programs or mental health resources • Hotlines for Support: If you're struggling, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the Physician Support Line at 1-888-409-0141 • Books on Self-Care: "The Resilient Practitioner" by Thomas Skovholt, and "Self-Compassion" by Dr. Kristin Neff • Online Communities: Joining online support groups for healthcare workers, such as The Happy MD or Clinician Well-being Collaborative, can provide a sense of belonging and shared strategies for coping.