On Mark Wallace’s blog, he invites Dr. Kirti Saxena, Chief of Psychiatry, and Dr. Karin Price, Chief of Psychology, to discuss Mental Health Awareness Month and the importance of taking care of our mental health and well-being. Read more
Grief and loss are two unfortunate inevitabilities of life. In an organization of thousands of employees, it is easy to think no one will understand our feelings and experiences, often leading to further isolation. The truth is, many of us are walking the same path and want nothing more than to connect.
While rounding during the holiday season, Workforce Chaplain Tuba Alpat saw this need firsthand and decided to put together a support group for employees experiencing grief and loss. In just one week, all available spots were filled. The people who signed up were dealing with situations ranging from divorce, to the loss of a child, to the death of a parent, but they were unified in their need for a safe space to process and speak without judgement.
Tabatha Gabriel, a Medical Staff Coordinator, had lost her mother 18 years before but realized after all this time, she needed to grieve the things she was not able to experience with her and the milestones they would not share together. “When someone leaves a mark on your life like that, how could they be replaced? How could you find a band aid for that?” she said. The grief support group helped her talk about her experience freely and to realize that grief is not just death, grief is losing, period. Tabatha says the group created a pathway for people to be comfortable with themselves and “speak to the questionable areas of their lives they thought were healed.” More than anything, she was grateful to know she was not alone.
Having lost her father over the Christmas holiday, Ambulatory Staff Nurse, Laura Johnson’s wounds were far from healed. However, she described a similar sense of surprising camaraderie. “Listening to people who were basically going through the exact same thing was comforting and helped me realize even though we are all super different, we are all the same when it comes to certain things in our lives,” Laura explained. The grief support group was there to help her work through the sadness, anger and feelings of abandonment, showing her there is no shame in how you feel about anything. She described how the group helped her not to bottle her emotions. When something triggers a wave of sadness, she lets it come and then lets it pass.
Sensitive subjects like grief and loss can be difficult to talk about, but they don’t need to be. “We know everyone grieves differently and that grief is a natural way of living your emotions. However, sometimes grief can feel too heavy and make you feel stuck,” explained Tuba. The grief support group filled a need for these team members, and it is just one of many resources available if you or someone you know is struggling. Call EAP or reach out to a Workforce Spiritual Chaplain at 832-824-3327 if you need support. You can also call EAP Plus for assistance, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 833-327-7587. For Baylor employees, call 800-622-7276. Please find additional resources on the Spiritual Well-Being SharePoint page.
Additionally, May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the Workforce Well-Being team has many resources, events and activities available to nurture your mental well-being. Click here for the full schedule and list of resources.
“Take yourself seriously, take your mental health seriously,” advises Laura. “Listen to that inner voice and take the time. You are not alone.”
The more we know, the more we understand, the more we connect. Click to read this month’s DEI update. Read More
Colorado State University’s hurricane experts are predicting a slightly below average Atlantic hurricane season this year due to the likely development of El Niño. Of the 13 named storms, they expect six to become hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane strength.
It appears La Niña has ended and water temperatures in the tropical Pacific are steadily warming. The current forecast is for an 82% chance of an El Niño this summer/fall, up from 61% in the March forecast. El Niño is becoming much more likely, which would typically result in below-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin. Click here to learn more about these climate patterns.
While experts are predicting a less active season, we still need to be prepared and cannot get complacent. You should consider restocking or buying needed supplies and creating a preparedness plan. There are multiple online resources available to help:
All team members must re-register annually for the Employee Disaster Roster – electing to be part of the Prep Team, Ride-Out Team and/or Relief Team. Details for each team are listed in the form, and you should work with your leader to agree on the appropriate role for you. Note, if you’re on the ride-out team, you can use this easy checklist to pack your at-work disaster bag with 5-7 days of essential supplies.
With suicide being the 2nd leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24, we at Texas Children’s understand many of our team members have been directly impacted by suicide and the rising mental health crisis. However you may have encountered suicide, whether working with patients and families or navigating situations at home and within your communities, we want you to know you are not alone, and there are people and resources here for you.
In September 2022, Texas Children’s partnered with the Zero Suicide Institute to host a Zero Suicide Academy, leading the charge for a system-wide cultural shift committed to reducing suicide. This framework aims to ensure we provide the highest quality of care for those struggling with suicide ideation, attempt and loss. Through this process, the need was identified to create a robust pipeline to ensure our staff has the necessary tools, resources and trainings to provide the quality of care necessary for these mental concerns.
Texas Children’s is proud to announce the launch of the Suicide Prevention SharePoint site, also accessible under the Connect Resources tab. This site is a centralized location for our team members to learn, educate and access resources to address suicide care. The Suicide Prevention SharePoint covers seven themes: System of Care, Infrastructure, Training, Research, Resources, Community and Religion. The site and its assets are for everyone at Texas Children’s; our patients and their families, as well as our staff (both Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine) and their loved ones.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, attempt or loss, please contact EAP at 832-824-3327 or EAP@texaschildrens.org. For urgent, after-hours needs please call 832-824-2099 and ask to page EAP. You can also visit the Suicide Prevention SharePoint site for resources and assistance.
Please watch this important video message from Drs. Shekerdemian and Ward. Read more
Let’s celebrate our more than 4,000 nurses across the Texas Children’s system! Click to read Jackie Ward’s message for Nurses Week 2023. Read More