A Tribute to My Colleagues and All Those Working in Mental Health

During a time when the world is focused on the current COVID-19 pandemic, a physical health crisis, and all those treating the physical symptoms of this pandemic, we must not forget those who are working to treat the mental health of our nation: the mental health workers. The force of mental health workers includes nurses, counselors, social workers, physicians, and others. These individuals may not be intubating, but ask if they are implementing life-saving tactics and administering life-saving medication and the answer will be a resounding yes.  You may ask yourself what are these life-saving tactics and medications. The answer is greater than one could ever share in a short essay. The answer includes teaching coping skills, educating someone about their symptoms and how to recognize escalation of symptoms, building self-esteem and self-identity, prescribing and administering Methadone, Suboxone, Naltrexone, and a myriad of psychotropic medication. Implementation of any of these and more are occurring on any given day.  Working in this field during this time has shown the true compassion of people and been a robust reminder of why I entered this field in the first place. Behind the walls of the rehab facility and hospital my colleagues are working tirelessly to treat individuals whose lives have been turned upside down not only by COVID-19, but also by addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.  While my colleagues may have their own anxieties and challenges dur...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: General Psychotherapy Suicide Treatment coronavirus COVID-19 Mental Health Care Providers Source Type: blogs