Helping those facing mental health challenges during COVID-19

“Mental well-being is especially important right now given the universal sense of stress and uncertainty as we navigate this pandemic,” says Morissa Henn, DrPH, Community Health director. “We know from a recent CDC study that more than 40 percent of U.S. adults have faced at least one type of serious mental health challenge as a result of COVID-19, and thoughts of suicide as well as substance use are significantly elevated. These adverse behavioral health issues are disproportionately affecting young adults, people of color, essential workers, unpaid caregivers for adults, and people with prior psychiatric conditions.”

Here are two recent examples of Intermountain caregivers stepping up to help those facing mental health challenges.  

Janel Prince, a social worker at LDS Hospital, helped a patient who’d planned to take her life to get care. “The patient had called with a strong intention and plan to end her life,” says Janel. “She’d been through some of the worst times in her life and was feeling hopeless and panicky.”  

As they spoke on the phone Janel asked the patient for her name and address and waved her coworker, Kailee Lee, a social worker, over to call 911 for a welfare check. Janel says she’d never been on a crisis call of this magnitude, and she knew she needed to help calm the patient while help was on the way.

“I kept her talking as a distraction,” Janel says. “She didn’t feel like she deserved my time, but I didn’t mind. I told her I’d stay on the phone with her as long as she needed it. I told her she was worth it. 

“At one point I helped her focus on her breathing, because I know breath can help us control our anxiety. I told her, ‘Let’s breathe together,’ and I calmly breathed in and out with her. Then I mentioned going outside to watch the storm that was brewing that day. She went out on her porch to watch the lightning and it helped calm her down enough that she could open up more to me.

She told me about some of her stressors, including the loss of her job. I think we were on the phone 30 minutes when help arrived. I could tell she was very appreciative.” 

“Janel compassionately listened and did various relaxation techniques with this patient to alleviate her panic symptoms,” says Jordin Curtis, mental health coordinator at LDS Hospital. “It’s clear that this patient likely wouldn’t have gotten the help she needed if our crisis workers weren’t there to deescalate her and help coordinate her safe arrival at an emergency room. It’s unclear what might have happened if our caregivers weren’t as responsive, compassionate, and clear-headed. We’re very proud to have them as members of our team.”

Another caregiver, a patient service rep at a clinic who wishes to remain anonymous, helped a patient in a similar situation. We’ll call this caregiver “Anne” and she spoke to a patient who’d called in to inquire about medical records. However, the patient quickly shifted to discussing her feelings of depression and spiraling downward. 

“It felt like she was on the brink of a mental or emotional breakdown,” says Anne. “She’d had a lot of challenges in only a few months — divorce, job loss, homelessness — and she was worked up. She definitely needed someone who’d be empathetic to her needs. Once she felt safe I could tell she was seeking a connection.”

Anne signaled to her coworker to call 911 for a welfare check. She also gave the patient some local community resources and stayed on the phone until police arrived. 

“After the welfare check, she called me back to say thank you.” says Anne. “It’s a difficult time and I’m glad I could connect with her and give her help.”

“During COVID-19, Intermountain has made it a priority to connect our communities and caregivers with resources to address not only the physical impacts, but the psychological impacts as well,” says Morissa. “This includes starting the free Emotional Health Relief Hotline, expanding access to tele-behavioral health services, and developing diverse resources to help patients gain a greater sense of emotional stability.”

Here are some mental health resources that might help if you, a patient, or a loved one needs help:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
• Intermountain's Emotional Health Relief Hotline: 833-442-2211.
• Intermountain's Employee Assistance Program: 800-832-7733
• Utah Strong Recovery Project: 385-386-2289 
• Know the warning signs of suicide
• Suicide prevention resources in Utah 

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