The work we do is deeply meaningful, yet it has never been easy. For decades our industry has had to cope with continuous change. Now COVID is bringing even bigger challenges. We all need to be at our strongest and healthiest so we can care for the patients who count on us—even as we cope with routines, lives, and futures that have been turned upside down.

That’s why this tool kit was developed. It brings together some of the best stress management tools, tactics, techniques, and resources in the industry. When implemented properly and consistently, these best practices can help leaders and employees alike gain the psychological coping skills they need to handle stress and even head off the long-term effects of trauma.

This tool kit starts out with two assessment tools.

One tool allows individuals to assess themselves in private. As a rule, healthcare professionals are reluctant to seek help.

We need to create a safe environment where it’s okay to talk about mental health and wellness. This tool can be a great conversation starter.

The second tool is meant to help you get a handle on how stress and trauma might be impacting your organization.

The pandemic has been an earthquake and the aftershocks will continue for a while. There will be other big changes in the future. How we address and adapt to them will determine how well our organization is able to fulfill its mission.

This video shares a fresh look at stress and trauma and offers tools to help measure an individual’s well-being as well as an organization’s. It also offers techniques on ways to help the workforce in well-being.

A special thank-you goes to Mark Clement, president and CEO of TriHealth, a healthcare system based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graciously allowed us the use of components of the organization’s Stress Management & Support Leadership Tool Kit as we developed this project. You will see some of TriHealth’s amazing tools beginning on page 48.

As a profession we focus on caring for others. Too often we are so focused on others (not to mention so busy) that we may not make self-care a priority. But we’ve all heard the analogy about putting on our oxygen mask first. We all have the desire to stay mentally and emotionally well, so we will have the inner resources to help patients heal.

Healthcare people are the most passionate and committed people in the world. I hope that this tool kit will be helpful to you, the healthcare professionals who work for you, and the patients, families, and community members whose lives you touch.