Health Care Workers: Pandemic ‘Poured Gasoline’ on Job Stress
In the heart of the city, more than 700 health care professionals from across Minnesota, whose sole purpose is to take care of others, are taking steps to focus on their own mental health after more than two years of pandemic-related stress.
“Stress in health care is not new,” said Kerry Appleton, a resiliency coach with North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale. “It has always been there, and really COVID was an accelerant. It just poured gasoline on something that already was a problem.
As a resiliency coach for North Memorial Health, Appleton helps more than 6,500 staff members deal with stress. She decided to expand her reach by organizing a Minnesota Cares Wellness Workshop. The free, two-day event at the Minneapolis Convention Center, was meant to thank health care workers and provide them with tools on how to recover from COVID-related trauma.
The workshop included sessions on meditation, an opportunity spend time with a therapy dog, and a chance to take a few swings at inflatable clowns.
“It’s been relaxing, which I think is the purpose,” said Kelsi Ervin, a registered nurse with Pine County Public Health. “And so it’s been really enjoyable.”
A therapy was on hand at the Minnesota Cares Wellness Workshop to provide comfort to health care workers.
A focus on mental health
Ervin welcomed this opportunity to focus on her mental health.
“The breakout I just went to talked about how we weren’t really prepared emotionally to deal with the stress of going through the last couple of years,” Ervin said. “So yeah it’s nice to get some more tools to use.”
The coping tools that health care professionals are learning at this workshop can be used well into the future to take care of themselves and, ultimately, their patients.
“We wanted people to feel seen and feel cared for,” said Appleton. “And I think that’s exactly what’s happening in this space, and that is good. That’s a win.”
Meanwhile, organizers say if you see someone in scrubs at the grocery store, go up and thank them. A little bit of recognition can go a long way.
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