For organizations working to address the opioid crisis, staff wellness initiatives offer a range of benefits, including:
- Helping staff feel supported, and connected
- Addressing stress, fatigue, and burnout
- Enabling staff to provide better care to patients
- Creating opportunities for creativity and camaraderie
- Supporting staff retention
These initiatives—which staff can participate in as they work remotely with one another—are all the more important during COVID-19. Below are tips for program leaders and team members on promoting wellness, as well as resources to support the behavioral health of staff.
Leaders: Learning and connecting
Topics | Tips |
Research & preparation
| Gather behavioral health resources from agencies and organizations. |
Reading may include:
| |
Research pre-existing wellness programs in the region or health system. | |
Surveys
| Survey staff to learn about levels of stress, wellness, burnout. |
Anonymous input | |
Follow-up
| |
Communication | Hold one-on-one meetings, with self-care built into the outline for supervision notes:
|
Check-in at group meetings:
| |
E-newsletter focused on wellness | |
Highlight shared sense of purpose | |
Ideas
| Dedicate time at staff meetings to recognizing colleagues' contributions. |
Reduce meeting fatigue by ending 60-minute meetings 10-15 minutes early. | |
Choose virtual backgrounds that set a relaxing tone. |
Team members: Incorporating relaxation and fun
| Topics | Tips |
Relaxation time
| Meditation
|
Wellness room
| |
Activities | Break the routine
|
Special occasions
| |
| Ideas | Fun committee
|
Fun Fridays
|