While reactions to the Supreme Court’s ruling last Friday have varied among caregivers, some have reported feeling overwhelmed, anxious, angry, or numb. Compounding the emotional effect is constant access to the news through smartphones and other technology, often amplified by social media. Intermountain has resources available to help you support your emotional health and well-being:
- Call the Behavioral Health Navigation Line to learn about mental health resources available to you: 833-442-2211
- Schedule an appointment with Intermountain’s Employee Assistance Program: 801-442-3509, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT. You can find more resources on the EAP webpage.
- Join a CARE session, offered Monday-Friday. No registration is required. Learn more.
- Intermountain offers several ways for caregivers to engage with mindfulness and meditation, like Mindfulness Moments accessed through Vocera, mindfulness-specific CARE sessions, and four-hour Mindfulness in Medicine retreats. You can also use mindfulness exercises, like this self-compassion exercise from Marc Potter, EAP counselor and coordinator for mindfulness-based programming. Marc describes how it works: “First, acknowledge the thoughts and feelings you’re having. Next, connect with shared humanity. Millions of people across the earth are experiencing something similar. You don’t have to hold the distress in isolation. Finally, offer self-compassion as simply as saying, ‘May I be kind to myself?’ or, ‘May I be gentle to myself?’”
- The idea is you’re setting aside these feelings to be addressed at a time when you’re not preoccupied (say, at 5 p.m. or after work) and not just shoving them away. “The act of creating the container also takes your mind to a place where it’s in control of something—which can be soothing, in and of itself,” says Marc.
- Join a Caregiver Resource Group (CRG), like the Empowered Women CRG. Intermountain’s CRGs are caregiver-led advisory groups drawn together by common causes or shared life experiences that provide insight relating to traditionally underrepresented populations. Learn more about the groups.
- During stressful times, it’s important to take care of yourself and provide peer support to your coworkers if they appear distressed. You don’t have to weigh in on the events, simply give them your loving presence and empathy. Make space for them to share how they’re feeling, respond with empathy and commit to following up with them at a later time to ensure they’re OK.
- Intermountain now offers a “Peer Support” workshop that teaches caregivers how to connect with a peer in a way that’s emotionally supportive and less about problem solving. If you’re interested in becoming a peer supporter, you can sign up in Workday to attend a workshop. You can access the Peer Support pocket card and tip sheet now to start implementing peer support strategies into your work.
“If you’re struggling, please reach out to EAP or seek out other well-being resources to get the support you need,” says Matt Steinkamp, EAP director. “You don’t have to struggle alone.”